Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

We do not hold ourselves responsible for 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 .

WHICH IS CORRECT ? To the Editor of TnE FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —I havo been for many years , aud still am , a frequenter of Lodges of Instruction , favoured by opportunities for learning from skilled professors of onr art , and for subsequently endeavouring to impart to others in somo degreo tho information I have gained . " Uniformity of ritnal " being a subject the necessity

of which I havo already advanced , and only wait favourable time and circumstances to bo again heard npon , I havo , from time to time , taken note of the various discrepancies in the rendering of onr lectures which all Freemasons most havo more or less observed who attend move than one Lodgo of Instruction . Failing a recognized personal authority to whom we can refer for fiual decision upon moot

points , the arguments between brethren upon any difference in the respective teachings of onr several Preceptors havo no practical result . Theso argnments more frequently terminate with somo such expressions as " Well , that ' s our way of working ; " " So I was taught , and so I shall teach . " " That's Bro . So and So ' s notion , and ho is a great authority , " & c ., & c This without the slightest consideration being

given to the propriety or otherwiso of tho word or action in question . Our system of teaching being oral , is peculiarly open to the probability of erroneous expression , tho misunderstanding of certain words and phrases , and the continued transmission and perpetuation of errors so arising ; and in many instances tho firmness with which some will hold to the original language of their Preceptor in

spite of its unreason is remarkable . It is not that a brother is always bigoted to his own opinion , but that he has derived his information from one whom ho has highly respected , and in whose capacity his faith so rested that to set his teaching aside , even in tho minutest point , without tho most convincing proof of error , would be , in his opinion , almost a sin . Bnt laudable , as such fidelity to his tutor may

be , no brother should persist in perpetuating what is antagonistic to common sense , and there can bo no donbt that a controversy on tho several discrepancies alluded to , if carried on without personality , and in a good Masonic spirit , in tho pages of your Journal , might elucidate considerable information , create much interest , and servo to determine many qnestions which arise iu Lodges of Instruction .

With this vioiv , should you see fit to open yonr pages for tho purpose , a series of enquiries may bo made , having for their object tho exposition of portions of our lecture work , which some amongst ns consider erroneous , while others as firmly beliovo to bo right , aud which neither may properly understand or appreciate tho reason for . My object will be best understood by a sauiplo of the difference of

expression I alludo to . Preceptor No . 1 says : " Beuovolcnco rendered by Heaven born charity is an honour to the nature whence it springs . " Preceptor No . 2 says : " Benevolence , & c , to the nation whenco it springs . " Which is correct ?

Yours truly and fratornally , P . M ., P . Z Clapham , 11 th September 1 S 76 .

An Old Masonic Term.

AN OLD MASONIC TERM .

To the EdJ . tor of THE FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —In glancing through an old Lodge Minute Book , I have more than once lighted upon the word " cratched . " The meaning of it is pretty obvious , but possibly some of your

readers may be in a position to show how it came to be used in Freemasonry , or , in other words , its Masonic origin . Perhaps Bro . Kenneth 1 ? . H . Mackenzie , Editor of tho Masonic Cyclopaedia now publishing , may bo able to say something on tho subject . Yours fraternall y , "Q . "

Coloured Freemasonry.

COLOURED FREEMASONRY .

To the Editor of THE FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —In reply to Nimium ne Crcde Colori , I must beg to decline giving any opinion just now as to the question agitating the Grand Lodges in " the United States , as I think it preeminently one for them to decide , lirst of all . Tho point at issue , I take it , is not as to the regularity of tho Lodge of which Bro .

Prince Hall was a member , as of that there cannot bo a doubt . It was certainly struck off the Roll of Lodges under the Grand Lodge of England , immediately before the list of the United Grand Lodge was compiled , but that of it 3 eif would not prove the irregularity of the African Lodge , for more than forty others were served the same way ,

belonging to the United States !—admitted to be regular . Neither ca ' u I admit that a single Lodge had the right to form a Graud Lodge in the jurisdiction previously occupied by a Grand Lodge , unless under very special circumstances ; but the fact is , tho whole matter involves so many facts and considerations , and , moreover must be viewed according to the laws then in operation rather than those in

Coloured Freemasonry.

existence now , that for the time I must ask leave to be silent , promising , howover , when my views aro desired by my American brethren , they shall bo forthcoming , and will also bo given when a

solution is offered " across the big pond . " Fraternally yours , WILLIAM JAMES HUGHAN . Truro , l'tth September 1876 . P . S . —The " references" forwarded by your correspondent are most satisfactory , and I hope he will excuse my silence pro tempore .

District Grand Chapter Of British Burmah.

DISTRICT GRAND CHAPTER OF BRITISH BURMAH .

A CONVOCATION of the District Grand Chaptor of British Burmah was held in tho Masonio Temple , Eangoon , on Thursday , 8 th June . Present—Comps . J . V . Douglas do Wet D . G . H . as Suporintendent , Joseph Dawson D . G . Treasurer as D . G . H ., W . H . Porter as D . G . J ., W . D . Cruickshank , D . G . N , as D . G . E ., W . Ford as D . G . N ., B . Samuol as D . G . P . Soj ., W . A . Nicol as D . G . Assist . Soj ., & o . The Chapter was opened with prayer at 8 . 30 . p . m . and the summons

convening the District Grand Chapter having been read , the minutes of the District Grand Chapter held on 17 th December 1875 were confirmod . M . E . Companion De Wet , District Grand H ., said he had been requested by the District Grand Superintendent , M . E . Comp . Col . H . T . Duncan , to express his regret at being unable to attend any Masonic Meetings in Eangoon . Apologies were also tendered

for the absence of M . E . Companions H . Kranss and M . M . Friend Pereria , and Ex . Comp . A . Hotson . Comp . De Wet reported that the Committee appointed at the last District Grand Chapter to prepare Byo-Laws had completed their task ; that the proposed Bye-Laws had been circulated for the information of all members of the District Grand Chapter and Principals of Private Chapters resident in

Eangoon ; and that they wero now submitted to tho District Grand Chapter for consideration . After some disenssion it was proposed by M . E . Companion Joseph Dawson that the Bye-Laws bo adopted by tho District Grand Chapter , and that tho District Grand Scribe E . bo authorized to have them printed , after approval by the District Grand Superintendent and tho Grand Chapter of England . This was seconded by E . Companion Porter and carried unanimously . The

District Grand Scribe E . reported the receipt of Eetnrn 3 from Eoyal Burmah Chapter attached to Lodge Victoria in Burmah No . 832 , at Eangoon , up to 31 st December 1875 . Eoyal Arakan Chapter attached to Lodge Arakan No . 646 , at Akyab , up to 31 st December 1875 . The District Grand Treasurer submitted tho Accounts of the District Grand Chapter , and some other business having been completed , District Grand Chapter wa 3 closed in form at 9 . 15 p . m .

Special Meeting Of Provincial Grand Lodge Of Glasgow.

SPECIAL MEETING OF PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF GLASGOW .

PEOVINCIAL Grand Lodge met at St . John ' s Hall , on 7 th Sept ., and was opened by Bros . Barrow D . P . G . M ., 32 ° , J . Baird S . P . G . M ., with E . Pront E . W . M . of No . 4 as P . G . S . W ., D . Murray E . W . M . 103 as P . G . J . W ., McFarlano of 427 acting as interim Secretary . On the dais wero the whole of the othor Provincial Grand Officers , and Bro . H . Inglis of Tarsonce 33 ° , Past Substitute Grand Master of Scotland . There was a full attendance of Provincial Grand Lodge

members , nearly 60 being presont . A communication was read from tho P . G . M ., who was too unwell to attend , containing a proposition for the obtaining of a Hall for the Provincial Grand Lodge , with suitable offices and accommodation for such of the Lodges as might choose to meet there , and offering a very liberal donation towards the object should the plan be adopted . The suggested plan

was warmly recommended by the Deputy and Substitute P . G . M . ' s . Bro . Inglis recommended that they adopt the suggestion as a whole , but appoint a committee to consider and modify some of the details . In an eloquent speech , he pointed out the advantages to the Province the possession of such a hall would give , and the absolute necessity of their maintaining their

standing as tho first Province in Scotland . He would gladl y do all in his power , both with his purse and influence , to further the causo iu Glasgow and the West of Scotland . Bro . Harper E . W . M . 408 seconded the motion , which was supported by Bro . Mnnro , E . W . M . of Commercial Lodge ( of which Lodgo Bro . Inglis claimed to bo a member ) , also by Dr . Martin I . P . M . of 360 , and R . McDongalof 553 .

As Master of ono of the youngest Lodges in tho Province , and the one who met nearest to the proposed hall , ho would say , thongh they had just spent several hundred pounds in getting and decorating a snitablo place for themselves , ho would give £ 10 and invest £ 100 in the place . ( Cheers . ) Tho motion was then carried unanimously .

The P . G . M ., D . P . G . M ., S . P . G . M ., and the Master of every Lodge iu tho Province , wore then appointed a committee to give effect to tho plan . The acting Master then stated the arrangements already made for the reception of H . R . H . tho Prince of Wale 3 , at the laying of the foundation stone of the New Post Office .

CHINESE CiRvijrc—For Sale , an elaborately carved set of Ivory Chessmen j The King's stnnil Si inches high , the other pieces in proportion . Knights and Pawns n horseback , all mounted on stands , with concentric balls . Can be seen , .-id full particulars obtained , on application to W , W , MOBOAK , 67 Barbican , — Met ,