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THEIMPERIALHOTEL, HOLBORN VIADUCT , LONDON , Adjoining tho TERMINUS of the LONDON CHATHAM and DOVBK KAHWAT , but distinct from the Viaduct Hotel . THE BEST FURNISHED AND MOST COMFORTABLE HOTEL IN LONDON HOT & COLD WATER LAID ON IN ALL BED ROOMS The appointments tltrougliout so arranged as to ensure domestic comfort . EVERY ACCOMMODATION FOR MASONIC LODGE MEETINGS , 3 §> ttblk ^ Dinners ft " ^^" ebbhtxr Bkeahfasts . THE CBUSADEKS LODGE , No . 1677 , AND PERSEVERANCE LODGE , NO . 1743 , HOI . D THEIB MEETINGS AT THIS ESTABLISHMENT . GOOD COOKING . FINE WINES . MODERATE CHARGES . The JEclison Electric XiigTit . TARIFF on APPLICATION to Bro . A . BEGBIE .

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THE HOLBORNRESTAURANT, HIGH HOLBORN . ONE OF THE SIGHTS AND ONE OF THE COMFORTS OF LONDON . THE UNEQUALLED TABLED'HOTE, AT SEPARATE TABLES , EVERY EVENING ( SUNDAY EXCEPTED ) , IN THE GRAND SALON & ROYAL VENETIAN CHAMBER , Prom 5 . 30 to 9 o ' clock . Two Soups , 1 " Sweets , Two kinds of Fish , Q / ££ Cheese in Variety , Two Entrees , O / O Salads , dc . Joints . With Ices and Dessert . A Selection , of High-Class Instrumental Music Accompanies this Favourite Dinner . DINNERS AND LUNCHEONS FROM DAILY BILL OF FARE .

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BRO . J . A . COLLINGS , Organist 1693 , Chapter 1056 , would be pleased to undertake the Musical Arrangements at Consecrations , Instalation Meetings , & c , & c . Terms , with Testimonial * and n-mes of Artistes , furnished on application . Address J . A . CoLMsfos , 21 Landsocr Koad , Tipper Holloway , N . Orchestral Bands for Masonic Balls , Soirees , & c .

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Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

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

LODGES OF INSTRUCTION .

To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —In a recent issue of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE , "MARINER " pointed out that many Lodges of Instruction were far removed from their parent Lodges . There are various causes for this state of thingswhich at first siht appear to be very

, g undesirable . A consideration of the whole question may not be just now out of place , if only to look at it in its many-sided forms . Aspirants for office naturally seek for instruction in the ritual in use in their own Lodges , and they reasonably expect to find it in those seminaries of the Craft which derive their authority from tho

parent Lodge . The results hardly ever realise expectations , for reasons which are not far to seek . Much depends npon the Preceptor , who not infrequentl y belongs to some other Lodge than tho one where he instructs ; tho conseqnenc 3 is some curious discrepancies in working . They are not so serious as to affect the character of the

ceremony , or to alter the meaning of the ritual , but thev are puzzling to the neophyte , and often confusing to the expert . The remedy for this ja an act of uniformity , which I do not recommend , or for the learner to seek out for himself that kind of instruction which will best meet his needs . The parent Lodge of Instruction undoubtedly has the nrst claim upon the members of the enfranchising Lodge , but

Correspondence.

loyalty in some cases must yield to necessity . Masonic schools are to be found in every part of London , and he would be a very poorspirited brother indeed who would count a short journey too maoh trouble to obtain the teaching he deems so necessary for his success . There is no royal road to Masonic knowledge . It mu 3 t be toiled for ,

and he who gains it through difficulties will appreciate it the more . Besides , there is the advantage of extended intercourse , whioh to the intelligent brother means a fuller and loftier conception of the Craft . Just as travel enlarges the mind , so does the oontinued and varied interchange of thought as to the rendering of the oeremonies of the

Order tend to enlightenment and confidence . He who is working for an appointment shonld stick to the Lodge of Instruction best suited to hi 3 requirements . He who has passed through the ordeal of office shonld seek every opportunity to enlarge his experience in order to qualify him in reality as well as in name for the distinguished

position of a P . M ., a post of honour and responsibility . I by no means wish to depreciate Lodge teaching and experience , and exalt the instruction imparted in Lodge schools . There is all the difference in the world between the solemnity and grandeur of a cathedral and the simplicity—almost barrenness—of a secluded room of even a first

class hotel . In both oases the ritual may be the same , but how different the surroundings ! The Lodge Temple is for service , in whioh experts lead and the rest follow . Schools of Instruction are for all , where the humblest member may figure as Master one week and lapse into the humblest position the next . To my mind , the brother who de .

sires experience in its most diverse and practical form should frequent Lodges of Instruction rather than regular Lodges . Intercourse would be freer , and certainly the practice in signs , gestures , and formularies would be greater . There would be no fear of the migratory brother becoming slovenly if he attended Lodges of Instruction . A good

Preceptor , one worthy of the name , would always insist upon accuraoy in the performance of Lodge duties . He is the teacher , the ruler for tho time being , and all who sit under him must obey his authority . If challenged , he should be ready with a reason for his own method of working . Endowed with antocratio powers , he should not be an

autocrat . He should be " guide , philosopher , and frieud . _ In the presence of such a man intercourse becomes enjoyable and instructive , and affords training , not only in the forra 3 and ceremonies , but in the courtesies of life , and the moral and intellectual character of the Craft . '

Some Lodges of Instruction are content to work the ceremonies only , others combine the lectures with them . It is a moot question as to which is best . It appears to me that a knowledge of the former is all that is required for the Master Mason , and that directly ha seeks office he should begin the study of the latter . The ceremonies are

for the learner , the lectures are for the student . The ceremonies are beautiful in themselves , but when supported by the lectures sublime . In their complete form they open up the portals of mystery and invite reverence and contemplation . Of course , I have set up an ideal

Lodge of Instruction and Preceptor . I cannot say that my experience would warrant me in saying that the ideal had been reached . On the contrary , in most cases Preceptors have been neither better nor worse than the brethren generally , and only differ in this , that they are more or less masters of the ceremonies and lectures , and are able

to work them mechanically . I never yet heard a Preceptor enter into the hidden meaning of any portion of text or subject , never go beyond mere verbal declamation and accuracy . In this respect even there is great room for improvement . Every brother knows that the language of the ceremonies is beautiful , and many of them know how

adapted it is to elocutionary display ; and yet how few understand , or if they do understand , care to take the trouble to make necessary emphasis and pauses . I do not expect a W . M . to be a finished elocutionist , but I do look for something like force of expression and clearness of intonation . As a rule , both conditions are violated , and

I hold that the blame is due in a measure to the Preceptor , who should instruct as to manner as well as to the ipsissima verba . It is , perhaps , too much to expect that Preceptors will become philosophers as well as instructors ; but I believe it would be a grand thing for the Craft if efforts were made to blend spiritual , intellectual , and moral lessons with the illustrations of the forms in which they

are enclosed . There aro some points in your leader last week on this subject I should be glad to dwell upon , but I must defer the matter until a future opportunity . I shonld be glad to see this question taken up with parnestness , in order that tho most glorious mundane institution ever known should be worthy of its fame . I am , Dear Sir and Brother , Tours fraternally , WATCHMAN .

Freemasonry And The Press

FREEMASONRY AND THE PRESS

To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLF . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —No doubt I shall be put down as very heterodox by all those—and their number is legion—whose god is their stomach , whose love of lnxury and ease is a passion , but I hold a higher view of Masonic duty and pleasure , and fearlessly assert that

so long as proper discipline in Lodges is permitted to languish as it does now , and so long as the present slavish devotion to the table huts , there is no possible hope for that new birth of intelligence the necessity for which you contended last week . At first sight it may appear that the connection between Masonic

discipline and the desire for literature is about as remote a 3 is our Royal Grand Master from tbo man in tho moon . There is , however , a relevancy which I hope to make apparent to tho thoughtful , though I despair of reaching tho consciences of those who forget everything

else when indulging in the luxuries of the tabic . I assume as a fact , and few will dispute the accuracy of my conclusion , that by far the majority of members of tho Craft do not know or hive forgotten how to enter a Lodge properly . When they know they are generally