Charity Stewards.

they are Charities in the truest sense , and dependent for their very existence ( for the fulfilment of a mission ) on this noble spirit of true " giving" ttncompolled , which is " Charity . " Yours fraternally , CHARLES GODTSCHALK , P . M . 70 and 1255 .

The "Off Night" At The Tranquillity.

THE " OFF NIGHT" AT THE TRANQUILLITY .

To the Editor of the FREEMASON S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —Nothing in tho world is more easy than to find fault , and , to some minds , thero is scarcely anything on earth more pleasurable . Let the motives bo of the purest , there is a secret sense of enjoyment in tho feeling of superiority over one ' s fellows when point ire out their shortcomings , nnd , bo tbe faults venial or

important , tho operation produces equal satisfaction to the censor . The professional critic , sometimes venomous and seldom unbiassed , is , as a general rule , sufficiently sincere and honest . Except in rare cases , he , however , takes littlo trouble to carry investigation any considerable depth below tho surface . His aim is to please his readers nnd maintain consistency with some particular phase of thought .

The amateur critic is a being of quite a different stamp . His is a labour of love . Ho delights in getting to the bottom of things . His research , nnder certain circumstances , is most profound and exhaustive ; srmctinie induced by kindly motive , but more often actuated by desires it is unnecessary hero to characterise . Of late j-our columns havo been made the vehicle of various specimens

of amateur criticism . Self-appointed censors have tasked themselves with the dnty of lecturing the Craft npon the sins of unthrif . tiness , and considerately indicated tho course to be pursued in futnro . Balance-sheets were analysed , and Lodges censured . To this there may be no objection per se , and there is no doubt their generally amiable dinpositions , will enable Craftsmen to bear the

impertinent infliction meekly . Thero is , however , a limit to forbearance when a Lodge like Tranquillity , No . 185 , is assailed . " ONE WHO KNOWS " publishes tbe fact that a certain sum had been expended upon a supper for a number of brethren , and some of them , like " Oliver Twist , " actually had the audacity to ask for more . This sort of thing was , to tho feelings of the Masonic Bumble , outrageous

and distasteful . " ONE WHO KNOWS should take into consideration that Dickens's typical workhouse brat received his luxuries without pay , while the member who imitated poor Oliver ' s example is amply taxed . But "ONE WHO KNOWS" meant to find fault , and conveniently ignores the fact . " ONE WHO KNOWS " asserts that some of tho members do not spend six shillings nnd sovenpenco halfpenny ,

tho cost per head for tho above-named supper , upon their dinners for a whole week . Possibly so : but it will scarcely be asserted they can dine very sumptuously for that amount . Then why , in the name of charity , does he not look with the eye of leniency upon poor devils whoso generally meagre fare might surely bo held sufficient excuse for the offence of asking for a little moro ? " ONE WHO KNOWS "

ought to know the status of the Lodge—tbe active support to the Masonic Charities insciibed on tho records of the Institutions—the private Benevolent Fund , amounting to a magnificent sum , and a considerable surplus besides from the General Lodgo Fund , placed at interest , with an ample annual revenue , and the many nnpublished acts of benevo ! ence periodically extended to tbe distressed , are

nil evidence of excellent management , and show that Masonic obligations are not neglected . Moreover , thero is scarcely ono amongst the members who docs not annually subscribe , donate to , or otherwise assist tho Charities . Then why , in tho name of all that is just and fair , should a little extra indulgence be made matter for publicity , and held up to reprobation . Although I hare no desire to enter into the controversy , so ably conducted in

your columns anotit the subject of revenue and expenditure of Lodges , I cannot resist the temptation to say a few words upon tho matter . I have read with considerable interest all that has been said on both sides , and am led to question whether Lodges would remain prosperous , and consequently the Institutions so well supported , wero tho usual convivialities abolished or oven greatly restricted . No one can doubt the benevolent instincts of tho Briton . A call to afford sue .

cour to victims of a sudden calamity , bo its occurrence near or far , at home or abroad , immediately creates the deepest sympathy , nud obtains munificent response . But , ordinarily , when help is required in support of established benevolence , the adventitious aid of a good spread is always found an excellent stimulant to force into greater activity the humane impulses of men ' s nature . Another doubt is ,

whether it will be possible to maintain the rate of annual subscriptions . A Lodge can be carried on , and at the end of the year show a tolerable balance for the purposes of charity , for little more than one-fourth of the amount now generally pail . It is of no practical nso to ignore fI , e fact that tho majority of brethren care not ono jot for the working in tho Lodge . Membership is uphold for the sake of

meeting congenial spirits from timo to time at tho banquet table , tvnd there can bo no manner of doubt , were it not for that enjoyment , a considerable number would resign upon alteration of present arrangements . There are no terms too strong to condemn undue extravagance , to the neglect of higher duties . Brit it must be borne in mind that the Masonic Charities are maintained with the utmost liberality , and

that immense sums aro annually subscribed towards their support . Tho Craft , therefore , as a body , cannot justly be charged with forgetting their Masonic obligations . Although it mnst bo admitted that gome Lodges are oblivious of what is expected of them in the matter of Charity , yet I am inclined to believe them to be exceptions to the

general rule , and I for one should be sorry to see tho prevailing system , which has worked so well , and effected such considerable benefit , mat rially interfered with . Vinegar and water diet may be sufficient to exhilarate sumo natures , but HIPS * aro scarcely fair judges of the beneficent effects of a generous regime upon a vigorous and healthy

The "Off Night" At The Tranquillity.

constitution , and how nearly allied is a sound digestion with senti ments of humanity , charity , and goodwill to every living creature . Yours fraternally , E . GOTTHEIL .

To the Editor of THE FREEMASON ' CHRONICLE . BEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —I am sorry if my former letter on the subject has offended any one . I do not know if I am acquainted with the brother who writes the Masonic column for the Sunday Times . I read his reports and criticisms regularly every week , and I am anxious to assure him that , though I occasionally glean information

from them , I have never yet found them " amusing . " What did amuse was tho contrast between your reporter ' s account and his . The two versions are not necessarily contradictory , but it is decidedly hard to reconcile the " gala night" views of tho ono with the extreme frugality on which the other lays so much stress . And with the letter of " ONE WHO KNOWS " before mo , I shonld say his

description is tbe more appropriate of tho two . Six shillings and sevenpence halfpenny is a stiff price to pay for a mere supper , when every one knows he can dino well , if not sumptuously , at tho Criterion , the Gaiety , the Holborn , the Horseshoe , & c , & c , for three shillings and sixpence , liquor not included . Put the cost of tho Tranquillity supper at tho same figure , and thero remains a balance of three shillings and

threehnlfpence for attendance and fluids , Ac ., & c ., a very liberal allowance , if malt liquor aud tobacco were the order of the day . Still , as onr brother of tho Sunday Times says , this may be frugality in the Tranquillity , aud yet bo on a par with a gala banquet at other Lodges . However , I must not presume to criticise what other people choose to spend on refreshment , nor am I responsible for tho introduction of tho fignre-test on this occasion . All I have to say

further is , that thero is something charming in tho artless simplicity of your reporter , who describes as a marvel of frnenlitv a snpprr which "ONE WHO KNOWS " ( ells us cost six shillings and sevenpence halfpenny per member . He would havo beeu nearer the mark had ho been able to show that it was something liko the frugal fare we read of in " Ivanhoe "—tho parched peas nnd tho pure water from tho Well of St . Dnnstan , which the Hol y Clerk of Copmanhurst offered to his guest tho Black Knight . Fraternally yours , OLD FILE .

Lord Carnarvon's Marriage

LORD CARNARVON'S MARRIAGE

To the Editor of the FREEMASON s CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —I am delighted to see my suggestion under the above heading so heartily taken up by yourself and your readers , and I hope you will not permit the thing to drop . I think it would be very gratifying to make somo presentation to onr Brother tho Duke of Connaught , ns well as the Pro Grand Master j but tho Earl

of Carnarvon has served us so long and so well , and has done for the Craft snch actnal good work that I think somo recognition in his case is imperative . Whatever is arranged eventually , I hope an oppor * tunity will be given for country brethren to be present at tho pre * sentation , and probably a banquet at the Alexandra Palace , or somo other convenient place , would be the best method of affording that opportunity . I am , yours fraternally ,

T . B . WHYTEHEAU , 236 , 1338 , P . M . lfill , Prov . G . D . C . N . and E . Yorks York , 10 th December 1878 .

The Qualification For The Chair Of M.M.M.'S Lodges.

THE QUALIFICATION FOR THE CHAIR OF M . M . M . ' s LODGES .

To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —Owing to a technical objection , the acting M . W . G . M . at the Grand Lodge , on the 3 rd inst ., ruled that the recommendations of the Board of General Purposes as to the dispensing with the qualification as a W . M . orP . M . in the Craft Lodge for the chair of a Mark Lodge could not be discussed . It is

unfortunate that the matter was omitted in the Board s Report , but it may possibly be all the better , as , through the opposition , it will give Mark Lodges an opportunity of expressing their opinion upon the alteration prior to the next Grand Lodgo—and of supporting it , if they aro in its favour . I am no iconoclast , and deprecate change if merely for change

sake—but this alteration commends itself to me , inasmuch ns I know the advisability of removing tho present restriction . In my own Lodge L ^ ere are several Officers who havo worked well , but who have not risen , and cannot rise higher than Warden , from the fact of their not having passed the chair in a Craft Lodgo , nnd tbreo of them do not even hold office iu tho Craft . The result will br > , in two

years , that the old P . M . s must again commence the round—greatly to the injury of the Lodge , by the disheartening effect upon the present members , and the small inducement held out to new comers . As Mark Masonry is not , and never will bo , recognised by Craft Masonry , it seems simply ridiculous thus to fetter its members , and to throw an unnecessary obstruction in their way . We wish for

prosperity to our Order , and were thankful to tbe Board of General Purposes for thus , unsolicited , dealing with what has now becomo a crying evil . Littlo , therefore , were we prepared for an amendment upon this wise and timely proceeding . It was said that Mark Masonry had progreswl mnoh of lato years , and that with the enormous increase of Craft Lodges thoro ought to bo no difficult y in recruiting our ranks with Installed