Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

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 coynmimkations . We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions of our Correspondents .

THE BENEVOLENT ASPECT OF MASONRY .

To the Editor of THE FREEMASON ' CHRONICLE . DEAR SIK AND BROTHER , —Permit me to congratulate you upon your new venture , of the ultimate success of which I have no doubt . The CitRONiCTiE as a record of Masonic matters is not only an admirable addition to the literature of the Craft , but it will prove in after years an invaluable historic repertory of facts and opinions .

I am glad to find that you are devoting much of your valuable space to the benevolent aspect of Masonry . Charity is tho grand object of our noble Order , and although it may be often abused , yet every brother will agree with me that the good done enormously outweighs the evils which unhappily always follow in the track of the benevolent . Many a Mason who has given to an unworthy object is

as ready to give again ungrudgingly when asked , as if he had never been imposed upou . Such charity as this , Sir , I regard as akin to the diviue . I confess I attach the greatest importance to tho practical aspect of the Craft , and I am of opinion that those glorious Charities , the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution for Aged Freemasous and their Widows , and the Boys' aud Girls' Schools ,

will compare favourably with any of a similar nature in this country . I should be glad if more of the brethren would subscribe towards the support of these noble charities . The payment of the trifling sum of one shilling per week will enable a brother to have a voice in tho government of these institutions . He may indeed chance to become a Life Governor , and thus exercise a direct control over the affairs of

the chanties . Tho East End of London has , I am happy to say , set the whole Masonic world an example in practical questions of this kind . The brethren in that locality are first and foremost in works of benevolence , and are deserving of the highest praise for their zeal in the cause of tho suffering , the friendless , and the afflicted .

I would venture to suggest , Sir , that large additional funds might be obtained for works of benevolence if Lodges exacted a small monthly or quarterly payment from their members . The sums thus obtained might be annually divided between the three charities , or in any other way that the brethren might think best . I am , dear Sir and brother , yours fraternally , A PAST MASTER .

Bro. Constable's Motion In Grand Lodge.

BRO . CONSTABLE'S MOTION IN GRAND LODGE .

To the Editor of THE FREEMASON S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —It may be presumed it is now generally known that Bro . Constable's motion to obtain a grant of £ 100 from Grand Lodge , in aid of the Fund about to be raised for the purpose of endowing the " Freemasons' Lifeboat , " was lost by a majority of 16 . The votes were 115 against 99 . But the manner in which tho

question was negatived may probably not have been so widely disseminated . I therefore venture to think it might probably be interesting to some of your readers , who were not present at the meeting , to be made acquainted with the mode in which this rather important matter was disposed of . The proposer submitted what ho had to say in a pithy , practical

speech . Bro . Brakeston Baker P . G . D ., who undertook to second the motion , did not seem to enter upon his work very heartily , his few remarks fell flat , and were altogether disappointing . Bro . Fred . Binckes , whose enthusiasm on questions of benevolence is never at fault , vigorously exhorted Grand Lodge to sanction tho Grant . Bro . John Havers P . G . S . W ., who acknowledged that he generally advocated

the unpopular side of a question , opposed , with seeming asperity , calling upou Grand Lodge to negative the motion without a division . The question was however submitted to the meeting , when the show of hands proved decidedly in favour ; but before the acting Grand Master had time to ask a show of hands against the motion , Bro . Satnl . Tomkins , the justly-esteemed Grand Treasurer , interposed ,

and in his mild way and voice , strongly opposed the Grant . This irregularity had the effect of alienating a number of brethren who were either previously vacillating , or whose power of judging for themselves is limited , or , at any rate , not sufficiently strong to enable them to resist the influence which persons of position invariably exercise over feeble minds . To permit Bro . Tomkins to address the

meeting after the discussion had ended , and the show of hands demanded , was felt to be so glaringly unfair , and indeed so un-English , as to cause expressions of surprise at such an unusual course of proceeding being tolerated in an assembly of Englishmen . It was , however , undeniably the case , and the second show of hands seemed to bo divided in equal proportions . A division was demanded , and

the scrutineers announced the respective numbers as above stated . There was , however , a more potent cause which brought about the disappointing result . Bro Constable ' s notice happened to bo last upon tho agenda , and a considerable number of brethren , who attended for the sole purpose of giving their support , residing some distance from London , had to leave before the discussion commenced . That such

was the case may be gathered from the fact , that whereas at tho beginning of the meeting , the spacious hall , capable of holding upwards of 500 persons , was so crowded that a great many had to find standing room as best they could ( for to obtain a seat after Grand Lodgo was opened was simply impossible)—even the gangwa y filling hall Way up—when tho time for voting arrived , only 214 , including the

Bro. Constable's Motion In Grand Lodge.

Grand Officers , remained . Aud here I will note the almost incredible fact that all tho Graud Officers , past and present , with scarcely an exception , eagerly voted with tho opposition . Even Bro . Baker , who seconded tho motion , divided against it , because forsooth Bro . Binckes , with tho concurrence of the proposer , amended the original proposition , to the effect that the Grant should be contingent upon the rest of tho

required sum being obtained . The childishuess of such a course will scarcely be disputed . Tho sanction for tho Grant , under any circumstances and conditions , is what was sought to he obtained , as the support of Grand Lodgo could not fail to give stimulus to the movement , and , possibly , have the effect of inducing brethren of position and influence to take tho matter in hand , and eventually bring it to

a successful issue . It may bo asked , why this exhibition of hostility on tho part of tho Grand Officers upon so trival a matter as the grant of XM 00 towards an unquestionably bouificeut object ? The only explanation that suggests itself is , that , as the proposition did not emanate from tho Dais , therefore it should not bo entertained . The solitary avgwmewt against it , used by aM tho opponents , " that it

was impolitic for Grand Lodge to apply its funds for purposes outside the Craft , " is so utterly feeble and fallacious that to state is to refute it . Have not these funds , within recant years , been applied—and properly and usefully so—to render asssistance to the helpless and needy , entirely irrespective of any connection with the Order r During tho recent troubles in India , £ 500 was granted , and after the

Crimean War £ 4 , 000 was voted to the Patriotic Fund . I forgot the amount sent to Paris after the siege , but I dare say many brethren will bo able to call to mind instances iu which simitar grants were freely voted . Then , why this show of unfriendly feeling when it becomes a question of affording some slight aid to the noble lifesaving institution ? It is hard to understand the lack of popularity

under which that Institution suffers iu nautical England . It eaunou be asserted , with any approach to truth , that people generally show any particular care for its progress , or go out of their way to promote its prosperity . It was asserted openly , aud , I think , ignorantly , in Grand Lodge , that the Institution has ample means at command to support all their Lifeboats , whilst privately it was foolishly suggested

that the burden of maintaining theso boats should be borne by tho wealthy body of ship owners . Let us hope that neither such arguments as these , nor the temporary repulse in Grand Lodge , will deter the promoters from continuing their exertions , until the end in view is attained . The question of the grant will , no doubt , before long be again submitted . Should such be the case , it is to be hoped

it may not be placed the last on the agenda ; that it may be fairly tested . In the meantime , those who desire success should exert their influence to enlist the sympathies of friends , and work with hearty goodwill to accomplish tho task . It is a truly Masonic object ; for what are even tho worst agonies , or sufferings , or privations ou terra firma , when compared with tho despair of poor wretches ,

clinging to the frailest of supports , half maddened from hunger aud exposure , surrounded by death iu its most frightful aspect , anxiously watching for help from the shore , and , but too often , watching and waiting in vain . And how much less chauce of rescue would exist were mankind to act upon the principle of the " circumlocution office , " and wait until the precise persons are found whoso duty it is

to provide for theso casualties , and who , having the power , are willing to do it , Tho Lifeboat Institution has done , and is continually doing , a groat amount of service to humanity , deriving its means for support from comparatively few individuals , and fewer corporate bodies . It is certainly not creditable that the Masonic Craft does nob stand first upou the list of its supporters . Yours fraternally , E . GOTTHEIL .

Assistance To Masonic Charities.

ASSISTANCE TO MASONIC CHARITIES .

To the Editor of THE FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . 8 th March 1873 , DEAR SIR AND BROTHEK , —I read E . Gotthcil ' s letter in your last issue , from which it appears ho would convoy to your readers that the weekly subscription movement for purchasing Life Governor .

ships for Masonic Charities emanated from Bro . Constable . While giving that brother credit for his zeal in the Charities , I consider that due praise should be giveu to Bro . Terry and others , who started the movement , by which it will be seen that Bro . Clark is only doing that which Bro . Constable did before him , follow the footsteps of good men and true . Yours fraternally , A LOVKR or FAIR PLAY .

The Chevalier Ramsay And Freemasonry.

THE CHEVALIER RAMSAY AND FREEMASONRY .

To the Editor of Tnn FREEMASON ' CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTUKU , —At page 151 of your is * uo for (! th March , there appears an account of the connection the Chevalier llumsny i .-i stated to have had with Freemasonry . We aro informed that ho invented certain new degrees , and that " lie oven h .-id the audac ' fy to propose , iu 172 S , to the Grand Lodgo of England , In substkuie

them for the throe primitive ilegrpi'S of symbolical Mas-. mrv , a proposition which met . with no more success than it deserve . I . " Xn-, v I hardly know how it is , hut a feeling has existed in my mind , for years back , that Ramsay was getting more credit in the Masonic way than he deserved . Although I have often & oou statements about

him similar to the ab ^ ve , 1 do not remember of ever seeiii ' ., ' p :-. > pi T and substantial evidence brought forward in support of' i-hc .- ' : ! *; n \ nmeats . Perhaps , however , either you , Mr . Editor ( m- Ib-o . Ediror I suppose I should say ) , or some of your eorrespoiidc : its , will be ; iMc to enlighten mo upou this matter , aud , fimly , in regard to this IT- 'S proposition to tho Grand Lod ge of England . I would wish to kuo »