Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

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

THE ADMISSION OP VISITORS . To the Editor of THE FREEMASON ' CHRONICLE . 29 th August 1876 . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —I see in your impression of 26 fch August , under the heading of " The Admission of Visitors , " three questions propounded . I should like you to insert the following remarks , which , I trust , are consonant with the true spirit of Masonry and

common sense : — Question I . " Whether a brother who ia properly vouched for * * * * can claim the right of admission . " I hold that if a brother seeking admission to a Lodge " can be vouched for by any brother present aa a true Mason , " and " no other brother present can urge anything against the character or habits of the applicant , " he can

claim , as a brother , admission to the Lodge " while at labour . " Question II . Whether a brother who is personally known , recommended , or can prove himself * * * because he presents himself minus his certificate . I hold that if a brother is known to any members of a Lodge so recommended by any , this is tantamount to vouching for his

identity and Masonhood , unless anything is known against him he should be admitted ; there would , in this case , bo no need of a certificate . 2 ndly , If a stranger applies for admission , and duly satisfies his examiner , but comes minns his certificate , the case resolves itself into two issues : 1 . Are the W . M . and the examining brother satisfied

that tho applicant is a bona fide Mason , and thafc he is honestly seeking admission as a true brother P and are they satisfied in their own minds that the reason given for the want of certificate or diploma ia honest and true P I consider this a matter for the W . M . to decide on hia own responsibility .

To take the broad view of Masonry , " a brother who can prove himself such , " is entitled to the same privileges and good offices as another who is well known to yourself . " Since , however , the constitution of Grand Lodges , and the greater diffusion of the Craft , diplomas or certificates have been issued to all Masons regularly entered on the Grand Lodge books , and should be

produced by every brother seeking admission to a Lodge as a visitor . The constitutions of Grand Lodge England seem to bear out my views , so do the constitutions of Grand Lodge Scotland . There is , however , a lex non scripta that diplomas should be produced . This may seem a paradox , but if I understand it aright , it simply means that the constitutions , or rather the compilers thereof , do not

wish to fetter the judgments of W . M . ' s and examining brethren , and to relieve stranger brethren from much inconvenience . Why , then , should diplomas be demanded ? and why should discretion be left to tho W . M . or the Lodge P Diplomas are necessary to prove that the stranger brother has been initiated , passed , and raised in a duly constituted Lodge , Just , Perfect , and Regular . I regret to

have to say so , but there are undoubtedly spurious Lodges irregularly constituted wherein members are enrolled and taught Masonry ; therefore diplomas should be demanded . Why should there be any discretion left ? simply because many cases might occur of hardship . I heard of an officer in India who in action lost his baggage and with it his regalia and Grand Lodge diploma—a brother might his lose diploma

by fire or theft , or he might be wrecked ; it is not easy in all cases to get a duplicate diploma . Question III . If in dealing with visitors a discretionary power » * * . * the Lodge or the W . M . ? I hold that in all cases of difficulty the discretionary power rests with the W . M ., ivho is responsible

to his Lodge . It is always in the power of the W . M . to consult his Wardens , or the Lodge generally , but , as ruler and responsible agent , the W . M . must ever decide all questions of difficulty , guided by the Constitutions aud Landmarks of Masonry , and the Bye-laws of his Lodge .

I remain , Sir and Brother , Yours fraternally , GEO . R . HARRIOTT , of Killiemore , P . G . M . Wigtown aud Kirkcudbright 4 Howard-place , St . Andrews , Fife .

Coloured Freemasonry.

COLOURED FREEMASONRY .

To the Editor of THE FREEMASON ' CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —Permit me to ask , through the medium of your estimable journal , if , in the course cf his varied Masonic studies , Bro * Hughan has lighted on any evidence of value , which may throw further light on tho early events connected with the

history of this troublesome question . Prince Hall is said to have been initiated , with thirteen other coloured men , in a travelling Lodge attached to one of the Regiments of the British Army , then stationed in Boston , early in 1775 . Is he aware of any evidence that will substantiate this , and also the further statement made by Prince Hall , in hia letter of application for a Charter to Grand Lodge ( Modems ) of England , thafc the Lodge bad been fottAUvd some years .

Coloured Freemasonry.

If he can throw any light on theso and other points , connected with the first so-called Coloured Lodge , he will be doing some service towards the settlement of a vexed question . I do not ask for the purpose of extracting an opinion he may feel ifc unwise or inexpedient

to give . I do so , because I consider he is the likeliest man in England to furnish this information . My name and Masonic standing are at Bro . Hughan'a disposition , in order to satisfy him of my bona fides . Xbura fraternally , NlMIUU KE C REDE C OLOHI .

The Late Bro. Farnfield And Grand Lodge.

THE LATE BRO . FARNFIELD AND GRAND LODGE .

To the Editor of THE FREEMASON 3 CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —I have been asked so many questiona with respect to Bro . Henry Greene ' s motion in Grand Lodge to grant an annuity to my mother , that I think it only fair to state through the medium of your paper thafc the notice of motion was given without

any previous communication with my mother , brothers , or myself , and therefore , of coarse , without our sanction . At my earnest request the notice was nofc renewed , aa I am both able and willing to supplement the income left by my late father ,

so as amply to provide for my mother and sisters . Bro . Greene knows , and ifc is therefore almost unnecessary to state here , thafc we are deeply sensible of the good feeling which prompted him to act as he has done in the matter . By inserting this letter you will greatly oblige , Youra fraternally , J . A . FARNFIELD .

A. And A. Scottish Rite In New Zealand

A . AND A . SCOTTISH RITE IN NEW ZEALAND

To the Editor of THE FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . VERY DEAR BROTHER , —As an honorary member of the Grand Orient of Egypt , permit me to explain that tho Thames Advertiser , of New Zealand , is in error as to a Craft Lodge being chartered by the Egyptian authorities of the " Ancient and Accepted Rite" for Dunedin ; and the warning of the Grand Lodge of Scotland , with

respect to the same , are quite needless . No such Lodge haa been warranted for Dunedin , as your correspondent refers to . It is true that a Warrant has been granted by the Supreme Council of Egypt 33 ° to New Zealand to constitute a Supreme Council for that country ( Egypt being the nearest Body working that rite ) , and that the Warrant mentions the first , second , and third degrees , as is usual

in such cases . The brethren , however , to whom the 33 ° Warrant is granted , are most intelligent and honourable members of the Grand Lodge of Scotland , and the chief officer of tho Supreme Council 33 " of New Zealand so established is our respected Brother William Caldwell , Grand Superintendent for New Zealand under the Supremo Grand R . A . Chapter of Scotland .

To suppose that these brethren had any intention of illegally working the Craft degrees would be to believe they were capable of violating their obligations ! Indeed , so strongly do the brethren feel the imputations cast upon them by the Masonic authorities in Scotland , that Brother Caldwell has resigned his office as Grand Superintendent of R . A . Masons , and the notice of the Grand Lodge

of Scotland , unless withdrawn , will only servo to hasten the birth of an Independent Grand Lodge for New Zealand , unless , as it is likely , the moro generous rule of the Grand Lodge of England is preferred . The Supremo Council 33 " of Scotland was not , we believe , regularly warranted by any legal 33 ° , or the officers thereof would know of the

custom to include the 33 iu such a charter . The Supreme Council 33 ° , however , never works in tho three first degrees in any part where a Grand Lodge has jurisdiction , unless in such a country as France , in which both bodies claim authority , coeqnally , over the Craft , although wo think the Craft Grand Lodge has the best of the argument . I should state that the Supreme Council 33 ° of Egypt granted

tho Warrant for 33 of New Zealand , free of any charges whatever . The Grand Orient of Egypt ( Craft ) has no connection with tho Supreme Council 33 ° of Egypt any more than such bodies are connected in this country . The Grand Lodgo of England has lately recognised the Grand Orient of Egypt , and its career is bound to be happy and prosperous .

fraternally yourg , WILLIAM JAMES HUGHAN , Past S . G . W . of Egypt . Truro , 2 nd September 1876 .

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