Memoir Of Bro. Emra Holmes.

sfcantly ignore in their daily lives ; who care neither for Masonic Literature nor our noble Charities ; men in whom we fail to observe that they are made wiser or better by their admission to our mysteries ; who cannot divest themselves of each selfish consideration and narro v prejudice ; who never reflected that we aro nnited by a strict and endearing relation , as creatures of tho same God , children of the

same first parents , and brethren of tho same solid tie . If the warmlybenevolent heart and cultivated intellect of Bro . Emra Holmes , speaking through his eloquent tongue , could not break up tho hard fallow-gronnd and sow good seed , like ! v in time to bear an abundant harvest amongst those now unmasonic Masons , wo must wait patiently till they pass throngh tho dark Valley of the Shadow of Death—dark and to

dreary , indeed ^ thom —and watch with Faith , and Hope , and Charity , for the dawning of that better day when every Mason's Lodge will be , as ifc ought now , the centre of fcrno civilisation for the vicinage in which it is placed ; when every Freemason shall not only bo a man who has mado some elevating branch of Literature , or of Science , or of Art , his special studv , but who also lives in Brotherly

Love to all tho hnman race , relieves all manner of distress within tho compass of his cable-tow , and ever studies Truth ( wisely called by Rousseau "tho eye of Reason" ) , both in profession and practice ; to whom tho over-burdened heart feels that ifc can at once lay bare its sorrows , with tho certainty of receiving sympathy ; and

when tho simple white lambskin apron , tho distinguishing badge of a Mason ( with or without its tinsel ) , will indeed bo honoured hy all men as moro ancient than tho Golden Fleece or tho Pvoman Eagle , moro hononourablo than tho Star and Garter , or any other Order in existence , being the badge of Innocence and the bond of Friendship .

Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions of our Correspondents , We cannot undertake to return rejected communications . AU Letters must hear the name and address of the Writer , not necessarily for publication , but as a guarantee of good faith .

FREEMASONRY IN SHROPSHIRE . To the Editor of THE FREEMASON ' CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —In a recent number yon observe , in an article on Freemasonry in Shropshire , thafc any Royal Arch Mason in tho province of North Wales and Shropshire wishing to attend a Chapter must go < o Shrewsbury or Welchpool , tho Firzalan Chapter at Oswestry having nofc yefc met , though warranted threo years ago .

I write to remind yon thafc thero is a flourishing R . A . Chapter attached to the Lodge of Sfc . John , No . 601 , in this towu . It was established in 1855 , and is now regularly held . Thero aro aboufc 25 members , the present M . E . Z . being Comp . R . Ans'ow ( P . M . 1120 , S . W . 601 ) who is suoported by Comp . R . J . Acton ( P . M . 601 ) and Comp . Eoff King ( P . M . 601 ) as H . and J . Tho meetings are held on the second Friday in January , April , July and October , at tho Wrekin TT „ t „ l

Ifc may be of interest to Eoyal Arch Masons to know that Sir W . W . Wynne , M . P ., Prov . Grand Snpt . for Shropshire and North Wales has announced his intention of convening Prov . Graud Chapter for the first time at an early date . Yours fraternally , SALOl'IENSIS . Wellington , Salop , 11 th January 1878 .

HONORARY MEMBERS . To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AMI BROTHER , —Brother Smallpeice , in a late number of the " CHRONICLE , " says , in reference to the above , Honorary Members of Lodijcs have no legal existence ivhatcvcr , giving copious extracts from the Book of Constitutions in support of this statement .

Has he not been " straining at a gnat and swallowing a camel ? " Bye-laws cannot in any way over-ride the " Constitutions " but , when sanctioned by the Grand Master , are , to all intents and purposes , as binding ou the Lodgo as the " Constitutions" themselves . Hence , if Bye-laws fix a slat-us for honorary members—aud define their privileges—the " Order " of " Honorary Membership " is

perfectly valid and substantial , that is , in the Lodge to which tlicij refer ; and outside the * particular Lodge it is perfectly immaterial what may bj though * of tho "degree . " My own Lodge has a special rule upon this subject , and its Bye . laws having been duly sanctioned , no qae .-Jon can possibly arise in it as to their existence or non-existence . Yours faithfully , A CONSTITUTIONALIST , 14 th January 1879 .

To the Editor of THE FREEMASON ' S CHKONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , — Help me out of a fix . I have been the Hon Sec . of a Locige of Instruction for over five years , during which time 1 have had free use of my privileges as a free and accepted Mason tc propose and to second , and to vote npon any question which to mi seemed advisable , until last evening . I ventured to propose in ope / , t'odgo , at Proper time , that onr Treasurer should be enrolled on bou

Correspondence.

member of onr Locige , as ifc is customary in our Lodgo thafc all its Officers should bo honorary . I was immediately informed that as an honorary member I was out of place ; that I conld not vote oven ; that my voto conld not bo counted . This pleasing particular of Grand Lodgo ruling having

been forced upon me , I withdrew my proposition that peace and joy might still reign supremo , as it hitherto had done . Kindlv say in your valnablo paper how far tho law relates to Instruction Lodges , or to my case in particular . I am , Dear Sir , yours fraternally , J . K . P .

Masonic Ball At Liverpool.

MASONIC BALL AT LIVERPOOL .

rTiHE cordial support of its charities , which embody care for the - * - education of the young and anxiety for the cimforfc and shelter of tho aged , is one of the distinguishing features of Freemasonry in this and other provinces ; and . that which stands highest in the estimation of tho thousands of brethren in this Masonio division of the kingdom is the West Lancashire Masonic Educational Institution—a model charity in its way , and not excelled in its position by

any iu tho provinces . During its twonty-eight years' existence ifc has increased in popularity year by year , until ifc now occupies a position which is eminently satisfactory to those having tho charge of its management , as ifc is highly credi able to its numerous friends and supporters . The invested capital , according to the last published report , amounted to £ 13 , 886 , and thero aro now upwards of 100

children educated by means of tho annual subscriptions of tho brethren and tho interest from this capital , without touching any portion of the invested money . Tho amounts paid for education and advancement in life of the children of distressed aud deceased IVIasons in the year 1877 amounted to £ 580 17 s 3 d ; but as a great number of little ones have been admitted to the privileges of the

scheme since that time , a largely increased expenditure will necessarily bo the result of last year ' s working . Tlio great charm of tho charity is its unsectarian character ( thus resembling tho Order which gayo it being and active life ) , ancl another most remarkaide feature of its working is tho fact that tho little ones who aro thus educated and advanced iu life know nothing about tho source

from whence th « money comes which thus helps them . "Mothers or guardians aro allowed to select the schools to which tho children are to be sent , and tho committee of the institution , who carry out this parfc of the work in pure charity , make ifc their business to seo thafc the education is of an effective kind . Trusting to tho continued and even increased support of the brethren connected with the eighty

Lodges in the -province of West Lancashire , the committee of tho institution ( of which Bro . Lord Skelmersdale P . G . M . is president , and Bro . Colonel Stanley , M . P ., D . P . G . M . ono of tho vice-presidents ) havo under consideration the broadening of the basis of the charity by clothing ns well ns educating tho children who stand in need of this further help . Already the matter has been mooted , and from

the enthusiasm shown in connection with tho extended scheme there is little doubt that it will be crowned with success . The annual ball in aid of tho " West ; Lancashire , " which invariably gives substantial help to its funds , took place last Monday at the Town Hall , being the 30 th of the series , and additional interest was given to what invariably proves a pleasant and agreeablo gathering

to tho brethren and ladies , as well as to the public generally , was the fact that it will probably bo the last , afc tho headquarters of the mayoralty , owing to tho recent aclion of tho council . Last Monday ' s festive gathering was under the distinguished patronage of the Mayor and Mayoress ( Mr . and Mrs . T . B . Royden ) , the Countess Bective , Lady Constance Stanley , Lady Skelmersdale , Lady Groenall , Bros .

the Earl of Carnarvon Pro G . M ., Lord Skelmersdale D . G . M . P . G . M . ( who was also President of the Ball Committee ) , Major Starkie P . G . M . East ; Lancashire , Lord de Tabley P . G . M . Cheshire , Colonel F . Stanley D . P . G . M ., Sir Gilbert Greenall , M . P ., Past G . S . W ., Licnt .-Colonel Bonsfiold , M . P ., Colonel Sfeble , Sir J . Ramsden , Earl Bective P . G . M . Cumberland nnd Westmoreland , Sir W . W . Wynn , Bart ., M . P ., P . G . M .,

Sir A . B . Walker , and fcho borough and county members . Considering the bad times , the attendance was exceedingly good , and the financial result will probably be such as to add considerably to tho funds of the noble institution . Tho arrangements wero of the most complete ancl satisfactory character , thanks to the indefatigable efforts of tbo committee , the principal members of which wore Bro . R . Wylie P . P . G . S . D .

( chairman ) , Bro . J . M'Kuno P . M . 21 G ( vice-chairman ) , and Bro . E . Martin jun . P . M . 1182 ( treasurer ) . The onerous duties of fball secretary wero admirably filled by Bro . Thomas Salter J . W . of tho Merchant ' s Lodge , No . 216 , to whoso untiring efforts the success attending the ball for 1879 is greatly due . As usual , the duties of master of ceremonies were fulfilled with great tact and courtesy by

Bro . H . M . Molynenx P . M . 823 , who has for a great number of years given his assistance in this way . There wero between six hundred and 700 brethren and ladies present , and amongst the former were h'os . Councillors Peet , Sheen , Lunt , and Ball ; T . M'Cracken , A . Tobias , ifcc . Tho members of the various orders appeared iu full dress Masonic clothing , with tho jewels and insignia of their rank and

office , and these added considerabl y to the fine effect , of the gathering , Bro . John Houlding P . M . 823 was the excellent captain of a band of stewards , about 50 in number-, to whose efforts the general comfort of tho visitors was largely attributable . The supper and refreshments were supplied by Bro . Fairhurst ( Messrs . Fisk and Fairhurst , Castle-street ) , and the general excellence of his catering gave the greatest satisfaction in both departments . The supper tables were

laid out with the greatest taste , and amongst the conspicuous features 'f the " creature comforts" was a large baron of beef . Bro . G . A . W . Phillipps' band furnished the music , and the following was tho list of dances : —1 polka , 2 quadrille , 3 galop , 4 lancers , 5 waltz , 6 quadrille , 7 schottische , 8 lancers , 9 waltz , 10 quadrille , 11 polka , 12 lancers , 13 9 * alop , 14 quadrille , 15 schottische , 16 lancers , 17 waltz , 18 quadrille , 19 galop , 20 polka , 21 lancers , %% sohottisehe , 23 wait ? , l \ galop ,