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Correspondence.
CORRESPONDENCE .
We * do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions of our Cor . respondents . All Letters must hear 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 .
HONOURABLE ORDER OP MODERN MASONS . To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —Can you or any of your readers give me any particulars of the Society of which the above is the title ? Until within the past few days I was quite unaware of its existence in our midst , and yet it must be an organisation of both age aud importance ,
for in a recent issue of Eddoives Shrewsbury Journal there are reports of annual anniversaries of two of its Lodges ; in one case the celebration being the "third annual anniversary of Lodge No . 171 . " As a brief outline of the proceedings of these " Modern Masons " may interest some of your readers , I summarise the following from
the paper already mentioned : The members of the Jackfield Branch of the Honourable Order of Modern Masons celebrated their annual anniversary on Monday after , noon ( 20 th July ) at tho Half Moon Inn , Jackfield . At 10-30 the members assembled at their Lodge room , and after the transaction of
some business formed into procession in the following order : — 27 juveniles , bearing flags , & c ., followed by four of the tallest members , bearing staffs of the Order , then came the Coalbrookdale brass band , followed by the Committee and members of the Lodge . The procession , which presented a very animated appearance , with flags ,
bannerets , & c , marched to the Church , where service was conducted by the Rev . Lloyd-Edwards , rector , who preached an able sermon from Proverbs iii . 6 . Special hymns were sung for the occasion by the choir . After service , the procession reformed and marched back to the Lodge room , where a most substantial repast was awaiting
them . After the withdrawal of the cloth , the Rev . Lloyd-Edwards was voted to the chair and Mr . Meredith to the vice-chair , while among those present was the district Secretary , Mr . Wilcox , of Birmingham , who was asked to give an account of the working and strength of the Friendly Society of which the " Jackfield" was a
branch . He was glad to say he had received a very satisfactory report of the working of that branch and that the Society was receiving great success in that part of the district . The auxiliary had proceeded very successfully dnring the past year , for not only had they increased in numbers , viz ., 38 adult members and 16
juveniles , but their funds were very much larger , and these were the things that made a society stable in years to come . It was this that the younger members of the Lodge had to look forward to . Such societies as these were entirely for the benefit of the working classes , who have not the opportunities of amassing wealth to meet an
emergency , and so they thought that some means should be provided for them , by which they could lay by for a time of need . He wonld like to hear in the future that that Society was prospering as well , and better , if possible , than they had in the past , but they were not to let their success lead them into wrong paths ; they should always
study prudence and economy . The speaker then , at length , advised the Society to treat each member with due respect as a brother , and to steer clear of little grievances . In the Birmingham district they had done very well in the past year . They had initiated upwards of 100 new members , and had established a number of extra branches ,
which seemed to be doing very well . Their funds were also gradually on the increase . The position of the district was a thoroughly stable one , and everything was working very comfortably , and they were determined in the future to still proceed onward . The cause was a noble one . It was for the benefit of the working classes . They were
desirous of seeing them improve their position . They did not expect them to get rich , but they expected them to raise themselves to such a position aa would be a source of happiness to themselves and all around them . The usual loyal and patriotic toasts having been given by the chairman , the next toast was introduced as one that they
would all heartily respond to . It was the " Bishop and Clergy and Ministers of all Denominations . " Previous to drinking the toast of success to the Honourable Order and Members of the Modern Masons , the Chairman said the Society should be congratulated on the progress that had been wrought among them in securing so
many new members . Mr . Edwards ( Bridgnorth ) said he had great pleasure in responding to that toast . He was sorry that they had not a Lodge of tho Freemasons in the little borough of Bridgnorth . There were many other friendly societies , and he was sure that , if some influential gentleman was to commence a branch there , it
would be warmly supported by . the working classes . He hoped , ere long , he should see a Freemason Lodge in Bridgnorth . The health of the " worthy and respected surgeon " was proposed , aud that gentleman ' s assistant , in acknowledging the toast , said the members of their flourishing society were in tolerably good health .
There had not been a single death during the year , and there had not been any aorious illness among the members . The health of the worthy and valuable Secretary of that branch was honoured , as also were those of the " Host and Hostess , " the " Chairman and * ice-Chairman . " A most enjoyable and convivial evening was spent
the proceedings being greatly enlivened with some capital selections b J tho band , and some good songs by several members of the Order . 1 am afraid my summary has exceeded the limits of a " brief outline , " "it I hope you will not End it necessary to still further reduce the
extract , as I feel there is very much in the account of the doings of these " Modern Masons" which may be read with profit by my brother members of Ancient Free and Accepted Masonry . Any ^ mber of our Order who may take the trouble to read the above extract cannot but be struck by the similarity between the general
Correspondence.
tone of the teachings of the Modern Masons and that of our own ceremonies . Although I do not say there ia any actual similarity between the two Orders , from the fact that I am who'ly ignorant of the system of the " Modern Masons , " the expressions of one at least of the speakers would lead me to believe that the " Modern Masons "
are really an offshoot of our own Order , " entirely for the benefit of the working classes .... by which they could lay by for a time of need . " The expressions to which I here refer are those of the ¦ jentleraan who responded to the toast of " Success to the Honourable Order and members of the Modern Masons , " and who is reported to
have said , " He was sorry that they had not a Lodge of Freemasons in .... . Bridgnorth . " Did he refer to the Order of Ancient Freemasons , or to that of the " Modern Masons " ? And if to the former what has become of our Lodge , No . 1621 , which according to the Cosmopolitan Calendar of the present year , meets on the fourth
Friday each month , September to April , at the Crown Hotel , High Street , Bridgnorth ? It is clear also from the particulars given above that th is " Modern Masonry " is purely of a benefit society character , but as to this and other items of its working perhaps you or some of
your readers can enlighten me . I may add "hat the second report to which I have referred aa appearing in the same number of the Shrewsbury Journal is a very brief one , simply announcing the fact that the anniversary took place , and givin ? the names of some of those present . In this case " about sixty sat down to dinner . "
I am , Dear Sir and Brother , Fraternally yours , M . J .
An Employment Bureau.
AN EMPLOYMENT BUREAU .
To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —I have waited in expectation of seeing some reply to the article inserted in the columns of your influential journal a few weeks ago , on the above subject . But finding the sngorpstion either flass in interest , or is of insufficient importance to
evoke further correspondence , may I venture a remark or two upon it ? The very fact of your having adopted the article as " Communi cated " proves to me that the opinions therein expressed were not to the fullest degree endorsed by your editorial opinion . Nor need we think far into the suggestion without discovering that , it is capable
of criticism in a variety of ways by practical men who are in the smallest degree conversant with the ordinary rules of business life . The theory of mutual help may commend itself to most of us as desirable , but whether it could be put into practice in tho manner suggested by your communique and many of your correspondents is
doubtful . Masons who have become reduced in circumstances , and who would form the class of applicants afc the " Bureau , " would be men who have occupied positions in life which must totally unfit them for such employment as it would be in the power of the executive to offer . Light employment afc luxurious or even substantial
remuneration is by no means so plentiful as to create a demand for such persons as would in all probability figure upon the society's books ; and those who have fallen from a previously " high estate " would hesitate , I fancy , to accept "anythingmenial . " For instance , is there any one amongst them who would descend to perform the
duties usually appertaining to the position of a commissionaire ? Even if he were , such situations are already at a discount , so many are the applicants for every vacancy that occurs . Again , would he feel himself at home in any very subordinate place in a shop or warehouse—of the same class , perhaps , as that in which he had hitherto
acted as principal ? Is it not natural to expect that , having got over the first feeling of dependence , caused by a continuance , it may be , of adversity , the spirit would rebel , and then as soon as he " felt his feet" once more , he would look out for something better ? It is all very well to say that if you have two candidates before you for your
service , preference should be given to a brother j but such a principle can only be upheld on the conditions that the merits of the candidates are equal . To accept a " duffer " because he is a Mason in preference to an outsider who is superior in ability and business
capacity is too absurd to be entertained even by the most ardent advocate of the " Bureau " arrangement . It seems to me that the idea , though no doubt well-intended , is impracticable , and ia not one anch as will commend itself to the approval of thoughtful men of
business . I remain , Dear Sir and Brother , fraternally yours , PAST MASTEE .
To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —As one who fully endorses the sentimoots of " A FREEMASON PURE AND SIMPLE , " on t ' ois subject , which appeared in your issue of the 15 th ultimo , I will , with yonr permission , give him and " WATCHJIAN " a practical example of whnt is done
in the way of finding situations for brethren out of employment in some of our Colonial Lodges . It is now some years since the event occurred , bub in this case time is not the essence of tbe contract , and I have no doubt but that such events frequently happen . The facts are simply these . Afc a stated meeting of a colonial Lodge a
letter was received from a brother desiring employment , mnrh in the same way as appeals for pecuniary aid are frequently received in home Lodges . After discussion a member of the Lodge kindly took the matter in hand , and I have little doubt but that the relief sought was forthcoming .
Could not something of this kind be done iu England ? I think , with your correspondent of the 15 th , that this would be much better than bringing Freemasonry down " to tho level of maintaining an official registry office . " Tours fraternally , TtiATELLES ,
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Correspondence.
CORRESPONDENCE .
We * do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions of our Cor . respondents . All Letters must hear 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 .
HONOURABLE ORDER OP MODERN MASONS . To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —Can you or any of your readers give me any particulars of the Society of which the above is the title ? Until within the past few days I was quite unaware of its existence in our midst , and yet it must be an organisation of both age aud importance ,
for in a recent issue of Eddoives Shrewsbury Journal there are reports of annual anniversaries of two of its Lodges ; in one case the celebration being the "third annual anniversary of Lodge No . 171 . " As a brief outline of the proceedings of these " Modern Masons " may interest some of your readers , I summarise the following from
the paper already mentioned : The members of the Jackfield Branch of the Honourable Order of Modern Masons celebrated their annual anniversary on Monday after , noon ( 20 th July ) at tho Half Moon Inn , Jackfield . At 10-30 the members assembled at their Lodge room , and after the transaction of
some business formed into procession in the following order : — 27 juveniles , bearing flags , & c ., followed by four of the tallest members , bearing staffs of the Order , then came the Coalbrookdale brass band , followed by the Committee and members of the Lodge . The procession , which presented a very animated appearance , with flags ,
bannerets , & c , marched to the Church , where service was conducted by the Rev . Lloyd-Edwards , rector , who preached an able sermon from Proverbs iii . 6 . Special hymns were sung for the occasion by the choir . After service , the procession reformed and marched back to the Lodge room , where a most substantial repast was awaiting
them . After the withdrawal of the cloth , the Rev . Lloyd-Edwards was voted to the chair and Mr . Meredith to the vice-chair , while among those present was the district Secretary , Mr . Wilcox , of Birmingham , who was asked to give an account of the working and strength of the Friendly Society of which the " Jackfield" was a
branch . He was glad to say he had received a very satisfactory report of the working of that branch and that the Society was receiving great success in that part of the district . The auxiliary had proceeded very successfully dnring the past year , for not only had they increased in numbers , viz ., 38 adult members and 16
juveniles , but their funds were very much larger , and these were the things that made a society stable in years to come . It was this that the younger members of the Lodge had to look forward to . Such societies as these were entirely for the benefit of the working classes , who have not the opportunities of amassing wealth to meet an
emergency , and so they thought that some means should be provided for them , by which they could lay by for a time of need . He wonld like to hear in the future that that Society was prospering as well , and better , if possible , than they had in the past , but they were not to let their success lead them into wrong paths ; they should always
study prudence and economy . The speaker then , at length , advised the Society to treat each member with due respect as a brother , and to steer clear of little grievances . In the Birmingham district they had done very well in the past year . They had initiated upwards of 100 new members , and had established a number of extra branches ,
which seemed to be doing very well . Their funds were also gradually on the increase . The position of the district was a thoroughly stable one , and everything was working very comfortably , and they were determined in the future to still proceed onward . The cause was a noble one . It was for the benefit of the working classes . They were
desirous of seeing them improve their position . They did not expect them to get rich , but they expected them to raise themselves to such a position aa would be a source of happiness to themselves and all around them . The usual loyal and patriotic toasts having been given by the chairman , the next toast was introduced as one that they
would all heartily respond to . It was the " Bishop and Clergy and Ministers of all Denominations . " Previous to drinking the toast of success to the Honourable Order and Members of the Modern Masons , the Chairman said the Society should be congratulated on the progress that had been wrought among them in securing so
many new members . Mr . Edwards ( Bridgnorth ) said he had great pleasure in responding to that toast . He was sorry that they had not a Lodge of tho Freemasons in the little borough of Bridgnorth . There were many other friendly societies , and he was sure that , if some influential gentleman was to commence a branch there , it
would be warmly supported by . the working classes . He hoped , ere long , he should see a Freemason Lodge in Bridgnorth . The health of the " worthy and respected surgeon " was proposed , aud that gentleman ' s assistant , in acknowledging the toast , said the members of their flourishing society were in tolerably good health .
There had not been a single death during the year , and there had not been any aorious illness among the members . The health of the worthy and valuable Secretary of that branch was honoured , as also were those of the " Host and Hostess , " the " Chairman and * ice-Chairman . " A most enjoyable and convivial evening was spent
the proceedings being greatly enlivened with some capital selections b J tho band , and some good songs by several members of the Order . 1 am afraid my summary has exceeded the limits of a " brief outline , " "it I hope you will not End it necessary to still further reduce the
extract , as I feel there is very much in the account of the doings of these " Modern Masons" which may be read with profit by my brother members of Ancient Free and Accepted Masonry . Any ^ mber of our Order who may take the trouble to read the above extract cannot but be struck by the similarity between the general
Correspondence.
tone of the teachings of the Modern Masons and that of our own ceremonies . Although I do not say there ia any actual similarity between the two Orders , from the fact that I am who'ly ignorant of the system of the " Modern Masons , " the expressions of one at least of the speakers would lead me to believe that the " Modern Masons "
are really an offshoot of our own Order , " entirely for the benefit of the working classes .... by which they could lay by for a time of need . " The expressions to which I here refer are those of the ¦ jentleraan who responded to the toast of " Success to the Honourable Order and members of the Modern Masons , " and who is reported to
have said , " He was sorry that they had not a Lodge of Freemasons in .... . Bridgnorth . " Did he refer to the Order of Ancient Freemasons , or to that of the " Modern Masons " ? And if to the former what has become of our Lodge , No . 1621 , which according to the Cosmopolitan Calendar of the present year , meets on the fourth
Friday each month , September to April , at the Crown Hotel , High Street , Bridgnorth ? It is clear also from the particulars given above that th is " Modern Masonry " is purely of a benefit society character , but as to this and other items of its working perhaps you or some of
your readers can enlighten me . I may add "hat the second report to which I have referred aa appearing in the same number of the Shrewsbury Journal is a very brief one , simply announcing the fact that the anniversary took place , and givin ? the names of some of those present . In this case " about sixty sat down to dinner . "
I am , Dear Sir and Brother , Fraternally yours , M . J .
An Employment Bureau.
AN EMPLOYMENT BUREAU .
To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —I have waited in expectation of seeing some reply to the article inserted in the columns of your influential journal a few weeks ago , on the above subject . But finding the sngorpstion either flass in interest , or is of insufficient importance to
evoke further correspondence , may I venture a remark or two upon it ? The very fact of your having adopted the article as " Communi cated " proves to me that the opinions therein expressed were not to the fullest degree endorsed by your editorial opinion . Nor need we think far into the suggestion without discovering that , it is capable
of criticism in a variety of ways by practical men who are in the smallest degree conversant with the ordinary rules of business life . The theory of mutual help may commend itself to most of us as desirable , but whether it could be put into practice in tho manner suggested by your communique and many of your correspondents is
doubtful . Masons who have become reduced in circumstances , and who would form the class of applicants afc the " Bureau , " would be men who have occupied positions in life which must totally unfit them for such employment as it would be in the power of the executive to offer . Light employment afc luxurious or even substantial
remuneration is by no means so plentiful as to create a demand for such persons as would in all probability figure upon the society's books ; and those who have fallen from a previously " high estate " would hesitate , I fancy , to accept "anythingmenial . " For instance , is there any one amongst them who would descend to perform the
duties usually appertaining to the position of a commissionaire ? Even if he were , such situations are already at a discount , so many are the applicants for every vacancy that occurs . Again , would he feel himself at home in any very subordinate place in a shop or warehouse—of the same class , perhaps , as that in which he had hitherto
acted as principal ? Is it not natural to expect that , having got over the first feeling of dependence , caused by a continuance , it may be , of adversity , the spirit would rebel , and then as soon as he " felt his feet" once more , he would look out for something better ? It is all very well to say that if you have two candidates before you for your
service , preference should be given to a brother j but such a principle can only be upheld on the conditions that the merits of the candidates are equal . To accept a " duffer " because he is a Mason in preference to an outsider who is superior in ability and business
capacity is too absurd to be entertained even by the most ardent advocate of the " Bureau " arrangement . It seems to me that the idea , though no doubt well-intended , is impracticable , and ia not one anch as will commend itself to the approval of thoughtful men of
business . I remain , Dear Sir and Brother , fraternally yours , PAST MASTEE .
To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —As one who fully endorses the sentimoots of " A FREEMASON PURE AND SIMPLE , " on t ' ois subject , which appeared in your issue of the 15 th ultimo , I will , with yonr permission , give him and " WATCHJIAN " a practical example of whnt is done
in the way of finding situations for brethren out of employment in some of our Colonial Lodges . It is now some years since the event occurred , bub in this case time is not the essence of tbe contract , and I have no doubt but that such events frequently happen . The facts are simply these . Afc a stated meeting of a colonial Lodge a
letter was received from a brother desiring employment , mnrh in the same way as appeals for pecuniary aid are frequently received in home Lodges . After discussion a member of the Lodge kindly took the matter in hand , and I have little doubt but that the relief sought was forthcoming .
Could not something of this kind be done iu England ? I think , with your correspondent of the 15 th , that this would be much better than bringing Freemasonry down " to tho level of maintaining an official registry office . " Tours fraternally , TtiATELLES ,