America On American Freemasonry,

AMERICA ON AMERICAN FREEMASONRY ,

IN one of tho earliest numbers we published an article m which we questioned the genuineness of American Freemasonry . We said there was a good deal of makebelieve about it , and that our transatlantic brethren were

more partial to display in connection with the Craft than seemed desirable , in our estimation at all events . At the time , and more than once since , we have been taken to task for the severity of these remarks , but , it seems

to us , on insufficient grounds . At all events nothing vre have ever said as to tho character of American Freemasonry exceeds in force the following for which we are indebted to the columns of the Canadian Craftsman .

It seems that a Bro . B ., recently deceased , had been for twenty years and upwards member of a Lodge , and for more than half that time its Worshipful Master . Subsequently " he dimitted and moved into the jurisdiction of Jefferson Lodge , and affiliated with it , but was suspended

by it for non-payment of dues , and was thus under suspension . " When it was found that this brother ' s death was approaching , application was made to the G . Master of the G . Lodge for a dispensation to bury him with Masonic honours , but the request was refused , on

tbe ground that he had been suspended as aforesaid . Our contemporary , in reference to this and another case of a somewhat similar character remarks— " We hire bands of music to bury the opulent profligate , if

his dues are paid ; we refuse to grant the prayer of a dying , honest , faithful servant , if he is poor and has not paid his dues . It would be wrong—a sin , we presume—to drop a tear upon , or cast a sprig of acacia into the grave

of a pauper . No ! publish his name to the world , and brand him as suspended . Fie upon such Masonry . " Has the severest of * our remarks ever approached in severity the damning justice of this ?

The Lord Mayor honoured the sixth installation meeting of the Aldersgate Lodge , No . 1657 , on Monday , with his presence ; among the other visitors being Bros . R . H . H . Giddy District Grand Master Griqualand , D . Sandeman

Past District Grand Master Bengal , Sir Francis Wyatt Trnscott Past Grand Junior Warden , Colonel Shadwell H . Clerke Grand Secretary , J . M . Case , Captain N . G . Philips , and J . M . P . Montague , Past Grand Deacons ; J . Lewis Thomas Past Assistant Grand Director of

Ceremonies , Edgar Bowyer , C . F . Hogard , & c , & c , & c . Bro . George Kenning , Worshipful Master for the second consecutive year , occupied the chair at the outset , while the ceremony of installing Bro . Brookman , CO ., as his successor , was most impressively carried out by tbe Grand

Secretary . In the course of the evening Bro . Kenning was presented by the members with a handsome gold jewel , in recognition of his services as twice Master of the Lodge , the compliment being further enhanced by the gift of £ 30 wherewith to purchase some memento to Mrs .

Kenning of the esteem and respect in which her husband was held by the members of the Aldersgate . In acknowledging the compliment , Bro . Kenning expressed a wish , on behalf of Mrs . Kenning and himself , that the money testimonial , increased by themselves to fifty guineasshould

, he appropriated to the endowment of the Chair of the Lodge with a Vice-Presidency of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution . The Lord Mayor ' s presence was especially

and most cordially recognised , while Sir Francis Wyatt Truscott also received a most hearty welcome . Indeed , the proceedings throughout appear to have been of the most interesting and harmonious character .

The popular Mohawk Minstrels will give two grand oacred Concerts ( with white faces ) on Ash Wednesday , at the Agricultural Hall , Islington . Afternoon at three o clock ; evening at eight o ' clock

Bro . James Stevens , P . M . P . Z ., has undertaken to deliver his lecture explanatory of the entire ceremonials of 'he first degree , at the Chaucer Lodge of Instruction , Wo . 1540 . held at the Grapes Tavern , St . Thomas ' s-street boroug h , S . E ., on Tuesday evening , the 28 th inst . The ^ odge will be opened at seven o ' clock .

oKl ' ww ? o ^ S 9 ° " i Merchant ( Experts and Valuers ) . Well fermented " lueBand tmatureaSpirjts , 2 AIl ) ortMansion 3 , VictQria . street , Lon ( lon , S . W

Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

All Letters must bear the name an I address of the Writer , not necessarily for publication , but as a guarantee of good faith . We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions of our Cor . respondents . We cannot undertake to return rejected communications .

LECTURES AT LODGES OF INSTRUCTION . To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BKOTHER , —I was one of those present at the Metropolitan Lodge of Instruction on Monday evening last , whither I repaired especially to hear tho paper which it was announced in your last was to bo read therein . I was mnch gratified with tho war the bnsiuoss was conducted throughout . Doubtless yon will

be furnished with a report ot the proceedings j I shall , thorofore , content myself by saying , that though I havo visited some dozens of so-called Lodges of Instruction , I never was more impressed than on this occasion . The work of the evening was conducted on well fixed lines , and the way in which the Preceptor conducted the business throughout was satisfactory in the highest degree . One and all could but agree with the vote of thanks which was so

cordially passed to the Lecturer , and most , if not all , will join in the hope ho expressed that other Craftsmen will enter upon this field , and take snoh interest in its cultivation as will redound to their credit , and advantage to the Craft at large . I am , Dear Sir , Yonrs fraternally , AN OLD P . M .

A MOST DESERVING CASE

To the Editor o / the FREEMASON ' CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —I cordially support the appeal which Bro . Hiue directly , and you inferentially , advance on behalf of " A Most Deserving Case , " as described in Bro . Hine ' s letter published last week . What may have happened to the unfortunate brother referred to it is , of course , impossible to say . He may , as you suggest , have disappeared owing to a lack of " moral courage , " but th is doubt of the two facts of his

ere no having loyally done his duty as a Mason when he was in the possession of means , and of his family being now in sore distress . The laws which govern the administration of our Fund of Benevolence forbid assistance being given to the wife and family , but I see no just cause or impedimenD . why tho Craft should not step forward and help thorn . I will give my mite in the good cause . Yours fraternally , L . L . A .

FREEMASONRY IN THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY .

To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' CHRONICLE . DEAE SIR AND BROTHER , —Bro . Rylands stands in no need of com . mendatiou from me , his articles on the above subject being so lucid and exhaustive ; but I think I may express to yon the gratification which , in common with all other students of early Masonic history , I experience on finding you almost as interested iu the publication of

his researches as the Masonic Magazine in which they originally appeared . It is clear from what Bro . R ylands has written thus far that we have got a great deal to learn about Seventeenth Century Freemasonry . It must also be clear to tho most indifferent reader that such papers as you have been criticising , and which , I rejoice to say , I have had the opportunity of reading , will do more than can

well be determined roughly towards elucidating that history . I hope , therefore , Bro . Rylands will , if he has the leisure time , con . tinue his researches , and that you , Dear Sir and Brother , will give them all the publicity you can . I subscribe myself , Faithfully and fraternally yours , Q-

Man To Man.

MAN TO MAN .

STAND np , man ! Stand ! God ' s over all . Why do yon cringe to me , Why do yon bend the knee , And creep , and fawn , and crawl ? Stand up , man ! Stand !

If I thought our English land Had no true-hearted poor , To suffer and endure—And hold themselves erect , In the light of their own respect , I'd blnsh that I was English born , And rnn away to the wilderness to free myself from scorn

Stand up , man ! Stand ! God made us all ! The wine transcends the froth , The living skin the cloth , Both rich and poor and small . Stand np , man ! Stand ! Free heart , free tongnc , free hand ,

Firm foot upon the sod , And eyes that fear bnt God , — Whate ' er your state or name , Let these make good your claim ! If there be anything yon want , Speak up ' , we may respect a churl , we hate a sycophant . Liberal Freemason