Disloyalty Within Our Ranks.

Freemasonry , but it must be remembered that in such cases the candidate ' s proposer is known to the other members of the Lodge , who are able to form an opinion as to whether he would be likely to nominate

a stranger without some knowledge of his fitness ; in other words , if the members of a Lodge are satisfied with an individual Brother they can safely take his word that the gentleman he proposes is a

fit and proper person to be received into their midst ; if , on the ofcher hand , there is the slightest feeling entertained against a member , then it is but reasonable to look most carefully into the surroundings

and the character of the candidate he proposes for initiation , and in such cases it is well known that rigid inquiry is made , sometimes resulting in the withdrawal of the nomination , so as to obviate the

necessity for an adverse ballot . In point of fact it would be as difficult to find a Brother who would be willing to propose a stranger without first

satisfying himself that he was likely to become a desirable companion , as it would be to find a Lodge willing to admit that stranger merely for the sake of pecuniary advantage .

The concluding remarks of " Past Master " are in keeping with his proceeding ones , but he seems to have got a trifle mixed in his ideas , as , if anything , it is the medals that cover fche benevolence , not

vice versa , and while the design of the Charity jewel and other insignia of Benevolence in Freemasonry is so neat and unpretentious as it is he must be a

very peculiar man indeed who gives money to the Institutions merely to increase the number of his decorations or the attractiveness of his " dress up . "

No , in this respect Freemasonry is above suspicionits benevolence is indeed the freewill offering of its members , far too expensive a luxury to be indulged

in merely for the sake of adding a small medal or a piece of ribbon to one ' s insignia of honour , for it is in that light alone that even " Past Master " can regard the Charity jewel of the Craft .

As to the two classes into which " Past Master " divides Freemasons—it is gratifying to know he regards one section as making a religion of the Craft , but he falls short of what we deem his duty

in not saying how many of those he describes as the predominent section—who join Freemasonry to make a living of it—ate grievously disappointed in

their expectations . When they joined they professed to be uninfluenced by mercenary or other unworthy motives ; have they any cause for complaint if Freemasonry proves a poor mercenary speculation ?

May we be excused if we ask whether it is for any such a reason as this that "Past Master " has taken the opportunity of expressing his viewshappily very uncommon ones among those inside the ranks of Freemasonry—and which are far from

being a fair criticism on the state of affairs that exists among the Lodges and Members of English Freemasonry of the present day ? We are not concerned with the methods or working of Buffaloism or other kindred Societies which

" Past Master" includes in his comments , but think it is creditable to those Societies to learn , even at the hands of this critic , that their systems are much the

same as that of Freemasonry . We are pleased to see thafc " Past Master ' s " remarks are hot allowed to pass wholly unchallenged in tbe columns of the " Echo , " where the following appeared on the Sth inst :

Disloyalty Within Our Ranks.

FREEMASONRY ( to " Past Master" ) . —Few men think less of dress and show than myself , yet , as a banquet usually follows a Lodge meeting , I do not see that putting on a dress coat is dressing up . As regards " to outsiders , " I think there is ample evidence that benevolence is not only the aim but the practice of Masonry . Craftsmen are bound by peculiar ties to promote peace , cultivate

harmony , and live in concord and brotherly love . " Past Master " says " there is no drawback if the querist has £ 5 or £ 3 . " True ; but not forgetting Rule 14 of the Constitution . Again , " Past Master " remarks that " the class of Freemasons that join to make a living out of it predominate . " But , a Brother making a living out of Masonry is not evidence that he joined the Craft to make a living

out of it . " Past Master " may be right as regards small fee Lodges , but taking the Lodges all round , I think the balance is in favour of those who join from principle . However ,-if the querist become a Mason , he will find the Lodges of Instruction very cheap , and the Brethren ever ready to instruct ; he will also hear the ritual delivered with exactness and grace . —R . EDMONDS FENOUILLET .

Supreme Grand Chapter.

SUPREME GRAND CHAPTER .

THE Quarterly Convocation of Supreme Grand Chapter was held at Freemasons' Hall , London , on Wednesday , Comp . W . W . B . Beach presiding . Col . , Townley Caldwell was H ., and the Rev . C . W . Spencer Stanhope J . Comp . E . Letchworth S . E ., Sir Reginald

Hanson as S . N ., W . B . Coltman P . S ., George Read 1 st Assist S ., Sir G . D . Harriss 2 nd Assist S ., Robert Grey , T . L . Wilkinson , George Everett , C . H . Driver , Dr . Strong , Lennox Browne , W . M . Bvwater , J . S ! Eastes ,

R , Clowes , Frank Richardson , C . F . Hogard , J . E . Le Feuvre , Col . Money , Baron de Ferrieres , Walter Hopekirk , T . C . Walls , Thomas Fenn , J . H . Matthews , S .

Valentine , T . V . Abraham , H . J . P . Dumas , Thomas Minsfcrell , F . Hilton , and several other Companions were present .

The paper of business as it appeared in these columns last week was agreed to , with the exception of the item concerning the Rose of Sharon Chapter , which was

deferred till next meeting , the Committee having just received a petition from the Companions of that Chapter . Grand Chapter was then closed .

Grand Lodge Of Scotland.

GRAND LODGE OF SCOTLAND .

npHE Quarterly Communication of the Grand Lodge 1 of Scotland was held on Thursday of lasfc week , at the Freemasons' Hall , Edinburgh , under the presidency of the Grand Master Sir Charles Dalrymple , Barfc ., M . P . Among other matters of business a communication

was reported from Mother Kilwinning , in which that Lodge claimed the right to designate its Masfcer by the title of " Most Worshipful Grand Master , " inasmuch as ifcs Master was so designated afc the time of the union wifch the Grand Lodge in 1807 , and was not then called

in question . On this being submitted to Grand Committee , the Grand Secretary drew attention to the fact that by resolutions of Grand Commifctee on 28 th October lasfc , confirmed by Grand Lodge , Mother

Kilwinning was directed forthwith to abstain from using the title of" Most Worshipful Grand Master" in designating its Right Worshipful Master ; and he had been instructed to send an answer based on previous

resolutions of the Grand Committee and Grand Lodge . This was confirmed . The Grand Master moved the adoption of the minute of Grand Committee recommending unanimously that the salary oi Grand Secretary be increased by £ 100 , and that of the Grand Cashier by £ 50 per annum . In doing so he spoke of the Grand Secretary as the most

skilled and accomplished Freemason in Scotland at the present day , and referred in eulogistic terms to the labour and zeal which he had expended in bringing Grand Lodge into its present healthy condition . As to

the Grand Cashier , he was able to serve them better as the years went on , and his salary would still be within range of that of his predecessor . The motion was adopted .

A new Masonic Hall was opened on Saturday , in Aberdeen , Bro . Forshaw Prov . G . M . officiating . It is to Bro . Forshaw ' s efforts the members really owe their new premises , which became their absolute property in May .