Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

— : o : — We So not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions of our Cor . respondents . We cannot undertake to return rejected communications . AH Letters must hear the name and address of the Writer , not necessarily for publication , Init asa guarantee of good faith . — : o : —

OUR FUTURE PROSPECTS . To the Editor of THE FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —Masonry , it may bo safely asserted , was never in a more flourishing condition than at the present time , as evinced by the announcement , in your last week ' s issue , that warrants had beon issued for no less than eighteen now Lodges during the past quarter . The Statistical Article with which you favoured us in the

same number has deeply interested me . It is true that , owing to the strenuous exertions made by zealous brethren , many members of our Order are becoming Life Governors of our Institutions , through the various Masonic Charities Associations , and that largo amounts are subscribed to the several Benevolent Funds attached to Lodges , but this is , in itself , not sufficient for the numerous pressing claims

that are constantly being mado . It has occurred to mo that a movement might be inaugurated , wheroby evory subscribing member to a Lodge should bo enabled to raise somothing annually towards the support of our Institutions . You have pointed out more than onco that an annual contribution of 5 s to each of our Charities would produce an amount that would exceed the requirements of the Institutions as at

present constituted . It may be urged that theso Institutions will grow , and that should the amount we may now fix as the maximum bo raised , new demands would arise . This argument I will not attempt to controvert , but I would urge that it is sufficient now to provide for present requirements , and let future demands be tackled when thoy arise . Tho question for consideration is—How is this to

bo done ? For sake of illustration wo agree that 15 s per annum from overy member of the Craft who subscribes to a Lodge will givo the amount we are so anxious to see raised . Again I ask—How is this to be done ? Aud , in the way of most writers who ask questions , I will endeavour to reply . At tho present day , for numerous reasonswhich we need not now consider—Lodges are increasing the

amount of their subscriptions . Why not apportion 15 s of this amount towards tho support of our Charitable Institutions ? In those of our Lodges where but six or seven meetings are hold during tho year , and appeals are made through appointed stewards , a call is made at nearly all the gatherings , and those amongst us who , perhaps , aro too ready to avail themselves of any excuse that may arise , frequently urgo

they seldom attend a Lodge without having to put their hands into their pockets , hence they prefer to stop at homo . Another suggestion I would respectfully offer!—Let our respected secretaries take counsel , and seo what can bo done in tho question of Past Masters ' testimonials . How would it bo if , in any given months , or monthwere it deemed advisable—the result of acknowledged merit should

be accopted , as it really should be , not for what it was intrinsically worth , but for what it was given . The veteran soldier , whose breast is bespangled with decoration , looks as fondly on his iron cross as on his diamond decoration , and I am sure we have in our ranks many who would as soon exhibit an iron or bono ornament , provided it represented what had been achieved by tho wearer , as thoy would

exhibit the most costly jewel , set though it might bo with diamonds . I have frequently heard remarks to the effect that P . M . ' s jewels are now given so indiscriminately that a truly conscientious Mason almost feels ashamed to wear one , so little being required by the members of somo Lodges at the hands of their W . M . ere they vote him tho jewel which should only be given for valuable services rendered .

To instance more especially what I mean , — a case occurs to mo where a W . M ., who had not spoken fifty words—leaving out of the question the mere formal opening of tho Lodge in the first and second degrees , the third he nover had the courage to attempt—during tho entire year of his Mastership , and who shono conspicuously from the fact that ho never had visitors , nor was honoured by any addition to the number of his member roll , this man , I say , was voted a P . M . ' s jewel

for tho valuahle services he had rendered to his Lodgo . I think this , Sir , needs no further remark . I could add much more to this communication , but I fear I shall weary your readers . What I want is , that some of your correspondents will endeavour to follow out tho very dim outlino I havo drawn , and suggest somo practical way in which our noblo Institutions , may be permanently benefited , and tho rockless waste of Lodge funds prevented . Yours fraternally , AN ASPIRANT .

Grand Lodge Honours.

GRAND LODGE HONOURS .

To the Editor of THE FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —In reference to the correspondence upon this subject in your columns , I venture to assert that no principle of selection which is adopted in the secular world is followed by our Masonic rulers .

It is an undoubted fact that many brethren are appointed to Grand Lodge honours irrespective of their Masonic labours or merits , and if proof be wanting , I havo particulars sufficient to substantiate the assertion ; probably some of these brethren have beon selected for services rendered , but unknown to the general body of the Craft . Ami to assume , Sir , that the recipients of Grand Lodge honours an- selected from a certain circle of society , and that no one who has not obtained a passport to that circle can be admitted to the dais ?

Grand Lodge Honours.

It is well known that there are a few exceptions to the so-called rule of selection to which I have referred , but the very fact that we point with somo degree of wonder and astonishment to two or three brethren , who , without tho aid of birth or fortune , have risen to a high position in Masonry , proves that I am justified in assorting that mere

Masonic labour and charitable exertions aro not regarded as sufficient qualifications for the Masonic dignity of Grand Lodge . The belief to which I incline is , that the apathy of tho Craft ( proverbially known ) with regard to this subject is rather the result of ignorance than indifference . Masons are content with a vague declaration of equality , and thoy

havo not yet discovered that , in practice , we , like some States of society , have our aristocracy and our commons . When will tho Masonic commons endeavour to put an end to a Government which ignores in its practice the first principles of Freemasonry ? I am , Dear Sir and Brother , Yonrs fraternally , ENQUIRER .

Our Symbolism.

OUR SYMBOLISM .

To the Editor of THE FREEMASON ' CIIRONICIE . Sevenoaks , 23 rd February 18176 . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER . —Tho titlo of your articles , " Masonry and Magic , " refers , I presume , to the use of the symbolism current in our Order , which is common to many ancient schools of philosophy , and the origin of which is shrouded in darkness . For as to any intermixture

of Theurgia with tho practice of Freemasonry as we understand it , even in remotest times , I am an entire disbeliever . It is pro . bablo that such studies were pursued in the adyta of ancient India , Egypt and Greece , and that they were intimately connected with ancient Theosophy , but their relation to the scientific wonders of olden time remains to be shown . It must bo evident to every student

of our ritual that many links in its symbolism have been dropped ; tho astronomical allegory , for instance , which underlies it , is imperfectly developed . The onward path of the candidate and his rovo . lution , if I may so term it , in an orbit punctuated by the sun , the moon and tho Master of the Lodge , is a fruitful subject of speculation . The late Bro . Molville , in his great work , " Veritas , " has exposed to

view many of those " missing links , " and shown that a deeper mean , ing lies veiled under astronomical signs , closely related to the secrets of ancient initiations . The origin of the astronomical signs for the constellations and the zodiac lies far back in the mists of antiquity to gether with the symbols now considered Masonic .

Tho five-pointed star refers to higher mysteries than our five pomta , so does tho double triangle or seal of Solomon , but I have yet to learn that the magical properties attributed to them by dreamers and mystics or by tho mediwval Rosicrncians havo any foundation iu faot . Can you throw any light upon tho origin or Masonic reference ( as to tho Craft ) of tho symbols pertaining to the Christian degrees ? Yours fraternally , PARMENIO .

A meeting of the Committee of Management of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution -will be held on Wednesday next , the 8 th inst ., at three o ' clock in the afternoon , for the transaction of general business .

The Doric Lodge o £ Instruction meets every Friday evening , at eight o ' clock , at the Earl Grey Tavern , Mile End Road . Bro . T . Austin is the Preceptor , and the Lodge has , on its roll of members , a large number of brethren who have attained emiuence as workers of Masonic Ritual .

Brother Sam Hague ' s Minstrels have been performing nightly to crowded audiences at the Philharmonic Theatre , Islington , Bro . J . D . Solomon being the lessee , and Bro . T . Stanley Dust the business manager . This troupe has been playing for five consecutive years at the St . James ' s Hall ,

Liverpool . A lire , however , took place on 1 st May 1875 , which caused them to make a tour , until their new hall will be completed . Their success at the Philharmonic has been such that the proprietor has taken down the private boxes

in order to afford additional space for the public . On Ash Wednesday they performed to crowded houses at Croydon . A visit to the Philharmonic during their stay in London will not be regretted .

At a meeting of the Board of Directors of the Brighton Aquarium , arrangements were made whereby the services of Bro . G . Reeves Smith wero retained ; he to continue to occupy the position of Secretary and General Manager .

The shareholders may be congratulated on their securing the services of one who , from its opening to the present time , has untiringly and successfully worked to promote their interests .