Correspondence.

Lodge . So Masonic irregularity aud official high-handedness join hands , aud pursue a crooked career , knowing that no ono , not even tho D . G . M ., can or will intervene . This is a sad but truthful state of affairs in this district at present , and yet I fail to seo any escape from such a chaotic condition . Yours fraternally , A LOOKER-ON .

RENUMBERING LODGES . To the Editor of THE FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —Tho last occasion when the Lodges wero re-uumbored was in 1863 , fourteen years ago . Since thafc period numerous Lodges must , in tho course of events , havo gone into abeyance , or havo been dissolved . In India , tho tendency is to originate a now Lodgo rather than sustain an old ono , and if tho same feeling

prevails in England , it will account for tho abnormal iucrcaso of Lodges under the English Constitution . I notice from tho Proceedings of tho last Quarterly Communication that our Lodges number 1690 . There cannot bo this number of working Lodges , so thafc I submit tho time has arrived when tho Lodges may with propriety bo renumbered , and a fictitious appearance of numerical strength avoided . Yours fraternally , Eangoou , 28 th October 1877 . FAR EAST .

THE GRAND ORIENT OF FRANCE . To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AKD BROTHER , —Those who were present ; afc tho mooting of Grand Lodgo on Wednesday , as well as those who may havo learned what occurred there , through tho medium of tho Press or otherwise , must feel exceedingly gratified at tho result of at least thafc portion of the proceedings which referred to the Grand Orient of

France . English and French Masons will , I am sure , be equally grateful to the Earl of Carnarvon for the fairness with which he stated tho facts of the case , so far as they were generally known , the impressive eloquence with which he enumerated tho great and unalterable principles by which Freemasonry has been guided from its foundation , and which alone can form a bond of union among the brotherhood

throughout tho civilised world , and the wisdom of his counsel Immoderation and tho avoidance of hasty and ill-considered action . It is to be hoped tho committee appointed to examine into all tho circumstances , and report the result of their deliberations at tho next Quarterly Communication , will follow tho excellent example of tho Pro Grand Blaster . But of that not the slightest doubt need be

entertained , for tho distinguished brethren of whom tho Committee is composed enjoy the confidence of tho Craft to its fullest extent , and as the noble Earl is one of their number , thoy will have tho benefit of his acnmo : i and advice . Whichever way , however , the question may in tho end bo decided , this agitation has brought to light two very pleasing facts . First , the vast assembly crowding

every part of tho great Hall , and which may fairly bo denominated representative , showing snch animated interest in tho important question under notice , clearly proves that though seemingly indifferent on most subjects , English Masons can be zealous and energetic when the exigencies of the occasion may require activity , and that the smouldering embers of enthusiasm may bo easily fanned into living

and consuming flame by the merest breath of danger ; and , secondly , that tho dark cloud so menacingly looming from across the Channel , has after all , the conventional silverlining . Through tho heavy gloom , threatening destruction , suddenly shot a gleam of sunshine . Tho announcement of Lord Carnarvon that , up to the present timo no less than seventy-six French Lodges have sent in their protest against

the innovation , seemed at once to relieve tho prevailing depression , and transform it into hopefulness . As amongst tho tens of thousands of Masons of tho neighbouring empire , tho vast majority must bo God-fearing , the Godless few , and this protest may lead to a schism , but what of that ? It would be one fully deserving encouragement and assistance . What if a new

governing body be formed , framing their constitution npon tho principles of the ancient charges of the Graft . Would it nofc be wise thafc their authority should be immediately acknowledged and recognised ? Ifc strikes me such an event would prove a fatal blow to the old organisation , and may go far to destroy altogether the obnoxious government which has so deliberately , and , to all appearance ,

unnecessarily compromised the fair fame of the Order in 1 ranee , and endangered the stability of the fraternity in general . The noble lord , in his admirable address , seemed to weigh the words before he gave them utterance , therefore his suggestions demand the closest and most earnest attention . One hint especially will doubtless prove to be the keystone of future policy . No one who has bestowed a

thought npon the question can havo failed to perceive that , should Grand Lodgo hastily resolve to cease recognising the Grand Orient as a Masonic body , great hardship would infallibly bo inflicted upon a vast number of our French brethren who are entirely inuoceut , and have had neither hand nor part in tho late unpleasant transaction . The instructions of his Lordship upon this point to Masters

of English Lodges were to the effect that a French brother desiring admittance should be received provided his certificate bears date on and before 13 th of September 1877 , but none can be admitted who have been initiated subsequent to that period . So far then , thoro is just cause for congratulation that by his wisdom aud tact the Pro Grand Master has placed this highly important matter upon a fair

and equitable footing . Let us hope and pray that before the hnal decision means may be found to lay the feelings of English Masons upon tho subject before the Masonio authorities of France , and thus afford them an opportunity to vindicate themselves or to amend the first article of their constitution in such a manner as to render it acceptable to tho Masonic mind and conscience throughout the world . Yours , fraternally , E . GorniEiL .

Northumberland And Berwick-On-Tweed Lodge Of Mark Master Masons.

NORTHUMBERLAND AND BERWICK-on-TWEED LODGE OF MARK MASTER MASONS .

THE Installation Festival of this time immemorial Lodge , was held on tho 2 Sth ult . The brethren assembled at 3 o ' clock , at tho Masonic Hall , Maple-strcot , Nowcastle-on-Tyno . Thero was a good attendance of members and visitors , amongst whom where Bros . Pv . R . Reed P . M ., Rev . E . L . Marrctfc P . M . 135 , P . P . G . Chaplain , and G . Pearson W . M . 12 I . Tho Lodge was opened by tho W . M . Bro . W . S . Hughes Prov . G . S . W ., supported by the following Officers : —Bros .

W . E . Franklin S . W . W . M " . elect , W . Cockbnrn J . W ., Dr . Luke Armstrong M . O ., T . Armstrong S . O ., R . L . Armstrong J . O ., T . Halliday Sec , ll . Salmon S . D ., T . Blinkonsop J . D ., J . Wood I . G ., S . M . Harris Steward , G . S . Sims Tyler . Tho minutes of last meeting being confirmed , tho ballot was taken for Bro . G . W . Lax , and proving unanimous , ho was advanced to this honourable degreo by

tho W . M . Bros . W . E . Franklin was then presented to tho W . M . to receive afc his hands tho benefit of Installation , all below tho rank of P . M . then retired , and on being re-admitted wero informed by the installing Master that during their absence Bro . Franklin had been regularly installed W . M . for tho ensuing year . Tho now W . M ,. then invested

tho following brethren as his Officers . Bros . W . S . Hughes I . P . M ., W . Cockbnrn S . W ., Dr . Luko Armstrong J . W ., T . Armstrong M . O ., R . L . Armstrong S . O ., J . E . Robsou J . O ., R . Lock Treas ., T . Halliday Register of Marks , R . Salmon Sec , Rev . S . H . Harris Chaplain , T . Blinkensop S . D ., J . Wood J . D ., S . M . Harris I . G ., G . W . Lax Org ., J . S . B . Bell S . S ., J . Usher J . S ., and G . S . Sims Tylor . Tho Lodgo

was then closed and tho brethren adjourned to tho Douglas Hotel , where they sat down to a recherche banquet , most excellently served . Grace being said , tho usual Loyal and Masonic toasts wero disposed of , with all honours . Bro . Marrctfc P . M ., in proposing tho health of tho R . W . Prov . G . M . M ., the Rdv . Canon H . B . Tristram LL . D ., said , the Canon and himself wero tho two first thafc acted as Chaplains of

tho Province , and their was no province in tho world could have moro reason to bo proud of their Grand Masters than this ono . Only to hear him speak on Masonry was an intellectual treat . They would all remember tho beautiful oration ho gavo them at Berwick some two years ago , when all woro so charmed with his deep Masonio researches . In conclusion , ho hoped that tho Canon

might long ; be spared for his useful life . The W . M . in giving tho D . P . G . M . M . M . and Officers of G . Lodge , said they wore proud to hive the S . G . W . amongst them , and should couple his name with tho toast . Bro . W . S . Hughes P . G . S . W ., iu reply , thanked tho W . M . and brethren on behalf of tho Grand Officers and himself . Ho hoped

that tho Lodges in the Province might increase , so as to enable tho Provincial Grand Lodge to increase its grants to tho Charities . Bro . R . R . Reed P . M ., in proposing tho Health of the W . M ., said ho had known him in Masonry for at least twenty-five years . Ho had worked long , creditably and honourably for tho Craft , and ho was sure that during Bro . Franklin ' s year of office the Lodgo would

suffer nothing . Tho toast being most enthusiastically responded to , tho W . M . in reply said , tho eloquence of Bro . Rood had somewhat put him at a disadvantage . He had been advanced to this degree in 1854 , so he had been a Mark Mason twenty-three years . He thanked Bro . Rood for tho way he had proposed his health , and the brethren for tho cordial manner they had received ifc . The W . M . then gavo the Past

Masters , coupling the name of the I . P . M . with the toast . Bro . Hughes replied , and said he would always bo happy to render what assistance laid in his power . Ho then gave the health of the Officers . With a few exceptions they had all served under him , and ho hoped they would give the same assistance to the new Master that ho had received . Bro . Cockbnrn S . W ., in replying on behalf of the Officers , said , if they had done well in tho past , he

hoped thoy would do better in tho future . The W . M . then gave tho healths of tho Chaplain and of tho newly-advanced brother , which was acknowledged by Bro . tho Rev . S . H . Harris Chaplain and Bro . Lax . Tho toast of the Visitors was replied to by Bro . Pearson W . M . 124 . The Tyler was then summoned , and he concluded a mosb enjoy » able evening , which had been enlivened by some ^ capital harmony rendered b y Bros . Lax , Wood , Franklin , Lacey , & c .

Swedenborgian Rite

SWEDENBORGIAN RITE

ANOTHER . Lodge of this interesting and increasing Rite has just been formed at Liverpool , by the name of the Royal Oscar Lodge and Temple No . 9 , in compliment to His Majesty the King of Sweden , and it is expected that many Swedish brethren in that city will join it . Bros . Thomas Clarke P . M . of the St . John ' s Lodgo G 73 , is the first W . M ., Bro . William Thomas May P . M . first S . W ., and Bro . 'thus . Roberts P . M . first J . W . The Swedenborgian Rite has peculiar interest for all Past Masters and Mark Master Masons . We wish the new

Lodgo and Temple all prosperity . Tho Warrant is dated the 27 th November 1877 .

Red Cross Of Constantine.

RED CROSS OF CONSTANTINE .

A meeting of the Grand Senate of this Order was held in Freemasons'Hall , Edinburgh , on Thursday , the 29 th ult . Lord Iriverurio Grand Viceroy presiding . Previous to tho opening of the Se-wio , the Holy Cross Hanctnary K . H . S . was opened , and Sir Kniir ' its Lor t Carnegie , W . Edwards , James Melvillp , and Cs-iprain W . if . Brown w .-ro received anil installed as K . H . S . and St . John the Evau . ' .-iist .

L'lie Grand Semite was thereafter opened , aud Sir Knights Lord Carneg i e , F . L . Law , and A . Robertson were solemnly consecrated Viceroys , and thereafter in a f nato of Sovereigns duly enthroned Sovereigns in the lied Gross Oi ¦ < i r . Among tho Grand Officers preseni were —III . Sir Knights J . Crichton G . Treas ., R S . Brown , G . Ueunden ^ Lisnfc , J . G-. Murray G . Marshal , W , Edwards G . Architect , & c ,