Correspondence.

prayers there daily with thoir colleagues of the Church of England and of the Protestant Nonconformist Churches , and certainly they did not obviously or ostentatiously ureas themselves before and after prayer . But admitting that it is the duty of Catholics to make the

sign of the Cross , and admittini * , for th © sake of argument , thafc in the rites of the Masons and Good Templars there may be prayer to Almighty God , would British Lodges object to Roman Catholic members making quietly and simpiy the distinctive sign of their form of Christianity ? I doubt it .

Yours very truly , 3 rd April 1892 . CHARLES W . DILKE . To the Editor of the Speaker . SIR , —I have no wish to prolong the discussion between Sir Charles Dilke and Mr . C . Diamond ; but as the latter culls in question several

Statements contained in the brief letter I sent ou the question , and whioh were given at greater length by Sir Charles Dilke , a few plain facta may help to clear the air . The Good Templars are undoubtedly on a different footing to friendly societies ; but , then , Sir Charles Dilke is perfectly clear on

this point . That " some Eoman Catholics" are members of the secret orders is an exact definition of a fact . To go beyond this , as Mr . Diamond would have us , " gives an entirely erroneous impression of the facts . " In Ireland the orders , instead of being strong , are very weak ; and ,

so far as I am aware , only the Manchester Unity aud the Foresters are represented at all , the former by a few hundred out of 700 , 000 members , the latter by a couple of thousand . The reason for the greater number of Foresters has been accounted for by their " wearing of the green . " The Forestry of Australia is , so far as

anything is known cf it at home , precisely similar iu character with that of the Mother Country ; there is no such thing as an " unwritten code . " Sir C . Dilke is correct in including the Catholic Benefit Society among the affiliated orders , as almost any friendly society blue book

would have informed Mr . Diamond ; and the relations . between that body and tbe Eoman Catholic Church are somewhat closer than those between the Government and the " United Kingdom Alliance . " If Mr . Diamond had asked for information he might have easily obtained it from the secretary of the Catholic Benefit Society . The

society has been specially blessed by Pope Leo XIII ., and is under the patronage of Archbishops , Bishops , and other dignitaries of the Roman Communion . Such close relations do not exist , I believe , between the Government and the "United Kingdom Alliance . " In a letter from the late Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster

" sanctioning ' the Catholic Benefit Society , the following expression occurs : —" And if any of my people desire to introduce it into this diooese , I hereby give my assent . " This shows that " permission " was thought necessary even with regard to membership in an order avowedly confined to members of the Roman Catholic Church . Your correspondent ' s account , therefore , of the status of this society is

entirely erroneous . Much might be said as to Freemasons ; but , with all respect to the editor of the Spealctr , other Masons will agree with the present writer that this part of the question cannot be disenssed with profit in the columns of the publio press . Yours faithfully , J . FROME WILKINSON .

Lord Egerton of Tatton , E . W . Prov . Grand Master of Cheshire , has consented , with the assistance of the Provincial Grand Officers , to lay the north-east corner-stone of the Randle Holme Porch of Stf * . Mary's Church , Chester , on Monday next . The porch , as the name indicates , is being erected in memory of Randle Holme , tho distinguished historian and Freemason of the 17 th century , who is

buried in the old chnrch of St . Mary s-on-tbe-Hill , adjoining Chester Castle . An especial Provincial Grand Lodge will be held in the County Buildings at tbe Castle , at two o ' clock , when the R . W . P . G . M . will address the meeting on the order of the proceedings . A procession of brethren wi 1 then be formed to St . Mary ' a Church , whore a short service will be held . Lord Egerton will lay the stono with

full Masouic honours , after which the brethren , in reversed order * , will return to the castle to close the especial Provincial Grand Lodge . Bro . George Browne D . C . will officiate , with the assistance of Bro . John Lewis D . D . C . and Bro . Meir A . D . C . As all Masons in the Province are invited , it is believed that there will bo a very large gathering .

Out of thirty-eight candidates for admission into the Eoyal Masonio Institution for Boys at the last contest , one was elected from the Province of North Wale ? , viz ., James Robert Bruce Niven , of Ben Nevis , Colwyn Bay , » on of tho late James Niven ,, commercial traveller , member of Segcutium Lodge , 606 , and Madoc Lodgp , 1508 .

Although this was the firsfc application the candidate secured the sixth placo on tho list , and polled 2690 votes . Tbe North Wales Province also succeeded in admitting Ethel Annie Itxard into the Eoyal Masonic Institution for Girls , the candidate being twelfth on the list and securing 2641 votes . —Liverpool Courier .

Considerable anxiety is folt as to the success of the Festival of the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls , coming as it does , so soon aft . r the Jubilee Festival of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , whioh realised over £ 62 , 000 . —Western Morning News .

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FUNERALS properly carried out and personally attended , in Condon and Country , by Bxo . Or . A .. HTJTTON , 17 Newcastle Street . Strand , W . C . Monuments erected . Valuations made .

Notices Of Meetings.

NOTICES OF MEETINGS .

— : o : — LODGE OP UNANIMITY , No . 287 . A MEETING wns held at Mrs . Robertson's , White Lion Hotel , Stockport , on Wednesday , the 5 th inst . Present—Bros . John Smith W . M ., Eoberts P . P . G . J . W . S . W ., Jas . Cookson P . M . P . P . G . P . Secretary , Howard S . D ., Hudson P . P . G . S . J . D ., Brooke I . G . ; P . M . ' a Leigh P . P . G . S ., Bkkehurst , Booth P . P . G . D ., McClelland , Lancaster , Dawson , Eigby , Alfred Taylor , and Wakefield P . P . G . S . ;

Bros . Jagger , Preston , J . A . Cookson , and Hewett ; Visitors—Cheetbam P . M . 993 P . P . G . J . D . E . L ., Peak P . M . 993 , J . C Armitage 322 , Sharpies 2359 , Ihlson VV . M . 295 , Turner P . M . 1011 , Hayes 104 , Mortimer 2109 , Fitzsimmons 1083 , and Lisenden P . M . 317 P . P . G . S . The Lodge was opened in due form at 6 o ' clock , and the minutes of

the previous meeting read and confirmed . Tho summons announced a candidate for raising , but he did not put in au appearance , and there being no other business , the Lodge was closed in peace and harmony . After supper the usnal Loyal and Masonic toasts were

proposed , and a very pleasant evening was spent . Bro . Fitzsimmons , who is a fine reciter , gave two pieces in masterly fashion , whioh were highly appreciated . Others who contributed to the enjoyment of the evening were Bros . Sharpies , Edmondson , C . Turner , and Lisenden .

LODGE OP APPABILITY , Nc . 317 . A MEETING took place in the Freemasons' Hall , Manchester , on Thursday , the 7 th inst . Present—Bros . Sfcaton W . M ., Bead S . W ., Chesworth P . M . acting J . W ., Wm . Garside Secretary , Jackson

S . D ., Bushell J . D ., Allen I . G ., Blido :. P . M . P . P . G . A . D . C . Dir . of C ; P . M . 's Walmsley , Lisenden , John Garside and Vultchoff ; Bros . Marsh , Brooklehnrst , Eottmayer , Guest , Simcook , Grimshaw , and others . Visitor—Bros . Wm . Hardcastle P . M . 1773 . The Lodge was opened at seven o ' clock and the minutes of the previous meeting read and confirmed . The ballot was taken for Bro . Wm . Hardcastle P . M . 1773 ,

and being announced favourable , he was ushered into the Lodge and presented by the Deacons to the , W . M ., who received him very cordially , and heartily welcomed him as a member of the Affability Lodge . There being no ceremonies to perform the W . M . announced that Bro . P . M . Lissenden would deliver a lecture on the first tracing board , whioh was listened to with great attention . Votes of

condolence were ordered to be sent to Bro . Fred Spencer J . W . on the death of his wife , and to Bro . P . M . Dawson on the death of his youngest child . Great sympathy was universally expressed for both brethren in their bereavement , both being much respected and esteemed . There being no further business tbe Lodge was closed in peace and harmony .

GUNDULPH LODGE , No . 1050 . rpiIE members celebrated the Festival of Sfc . John ' s Day , on Wed--X nesday , the 6 th inst ., at the Council Chamber of the Guildhall , Chatham , when there was a large attendance of members . Brother Ashton S . W . was installed W . M . for the ensuing year , and he invested the following as his Officers : —Bros . Wyatt I . P . M ., Eussell S . VV ., Brice jun . J . W ., Rev . C . H . Fielding Chaplain , Fry Treasurer , Barrel !

Secretary , Nash S . D ., Hodge J . D ., Bagshaw I . G ., Dunn Dir . of Cers ., Oldroyd Organist , Morris and Mason Stewards , Broadbridge Almoner , Oram Tyler , and Barrell Charity Delegate . A pleasant part of tho ceremony was the presentation of a valuable Past Master ' s jewel to

Bro . Wyatt . At the conclusion of the Lodge business , the party adjourned to the King ' s Head , where a banquet was held . Brother Ashton presided , and was supported by Bros . Alderman Davies , Maddisou , Fielding , M . A ., Warne , Watson , and Lieut . Powall W . M . 2401 .

LONGLEAT LODGE , No . 1478 . ON the 6 th insfc ., at the Town Hall , Warminster , Bro . James Low was installed as Master , the ceremony being performed by Bro . Harwrood , of the Elias de Darham Lodge , Salisbury , in the absence of the Earl of Radnor P . G . M . of Wilts . A banquet subsequently took place , at the Bath Arms Hotel .

TRAPFORD LODGE , No . 1496 . A MEETING took place afc Mrs . Tonlmin's , Western Hotel , Mosa Side , on Monday , the llth instant , when amongst those present were Bros . Blears W . J ! ., Morris S . W ., Long J . W ., Burslem P . M . Treasurer , Land Secretary , Ramsey Knight J . D . acting S . D " ., David Johnson P . M . D . C , Renshaw LG . ; P . M . ' a Gillman P . P . G . D ., Biggs , and Kershaw ; Bros . H , S . Johnson , A . E . Johnson , Dewsbury ,

Seanor , Lees , Yeadous , Hampson , Doue , and others ; Visitors—Rathbone P . M . 581 , & o . The brethren met as is customary to tea , after whioh the Lodge waa opened in due form , and fche minutes of the previous meeting were read aud confirmed . Bros . Dewsbury and

Laos being present to take the second degree , were interrogated as to thoir proficiency in the firut , and baviug satisfactorily answered , withdrew . Bro . Dewsbury was subsequently passed to the degree of F . C . by Bro . Kershaw P . M ., nnd Bro . Lees by the W . M ., and there being no futfcher business , the Lodge was closed in due form .

COTEHELE LODGE , No . 2166 . THE annual meeting was held afc Calstock , on Monday , 4 th insfc ., when Bro . Alford W . M . elect was installed by Bro . Pesroa P . M . 557 . The following brethren were then invested : —Bros . Samuel I . P . M ., Bone S . W ., Grills J . W ., James Secretary , Down P . M . Trea ? ., Coulter S . D ., Bowhay J . D ., Smale I . G ., Norfcham Dir . of Cera .,