Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

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

CHUECH SEEVICES .

To the Editor of the FBEEMASOH ' CHRONICLE . DEAB SIB AND BBOTHEB , —I fully endorse your opposition to what the present generation of Brethren are pleased to term Masonic Church Services , not , however , merely on account of the regalia . question , which can easily be remedied by an edict of Grand Lodge , but because I believe an extension of these Services—even a continuance of them—will be likely to interfere with the universality of the Craft , ¦ and introduce into it questions of doctrine wholly opposed to the principle of freedom in religious matters that has hitherto been one of our principal boasts .

You have lately given us a large number of sermons preached at these ( so-called ) Masonic Services , and I have carefully read them all ; but I think I am . within the mark when I say there is not a Masonic sermon among the whole of them . Preachers of distinction have addressed their Brethren in different parts of the country , but it seems to me it has been in the ordinary clerical capacity they have spoken , rather than as members of our Craft

addressing their Brethren in Freemasonry . Present and Past Grand Chaplains have preached , in all probability displaying the insignia of the Craft as well as that they are entitled to wear in the Church , but there is not one of them who has kept his remarks within the limits allowed to Masonic conversation , and not one of them—so far as I can see—who has taken the trouble to prepare a special discourse for the special occasion of a ( so-called ) Masonic Service .

To my way of thinking a " Masonic " sermon should be so worded as to be possible of repetition in any Masonic Lodge , without giving pain or offence to any member of the Craft who might be present—and where can you find such a sermon among the many you have lately given in your pages ? There is hardly one of them but is full of Protestant ideas and doctrine , and such as would be wholly out of place if repeated , for instance , in a Lodge which numbered one or two Jews , or other Brethren equally as religious as ourselves , but brought up in a different faith .

Brethren may argue that these Masonic services being held in Christian Churches they must of necessity be Christian in character , but that is a wholly mistaken view to take it the service is described as " Masonic . " A Chaplain in an Indian Lodge can preach an excellent sermon on the principles of Freemasonry , and say nothing to jar on the feelings of Christian , Jew . Parsee , Mohammedan , or any other religionist who may happen to be present ; and the same is possible amongst English Chaplains if they take a small amount of pains in the preparation of the special sermon they preach at a Masonic Service .

The same Brethren will attend the Consecration of a new Lodge , and deliver a cosmopolitan Oration on the principles of the Craft , but place them in a Church pulpit and they seem unable to recognise the true principle of Freemasonry—the Brotherhood of Man . If the same sort of thing occurred with a Catholic priest in the pulpit there are hundreds of Brethren who

would be up in arms , saying he was making use of Freemasonry to convert his hearers to the Church of Rome , but because the majority of us in this country are members of the Church of England we do nothing to stop this departure from the true principle of universality that should be one of the most prominent features in the Craft of Freemasonry . Yours fraternally , " FBI !!! " MASON .

"A Sprig Of Acacia."

" A SPRIG OF ACACIA . "

ON the 11 th inst ., the remains of Bro . Arthur H . Moon , who was drowned whilst bathing at Chapel , near Skegness , on Monday , 9 th inst ., just as he was " about to return home at the end of his holiday , were interred m the Park Gemetery at Ilkeston , the funeral being an impressive one . The Rutland

Lodge , of which the deceased was Junior Warden , was fully represented , and many friends showed their last respects to the deceased , who , although only thirty-five years of age , was one of the most popular young men in- the town .

THE news of the death of Bro . Frederick P . Ansle , of the York Hotel , Sandown , on Monday , 9 th inst ., after a brief illness , came as a sad surprise to residents of Ventuor , where up till 12 or 18 months ago he had been for many years in business as a wine and spirit merchant , says the " Isle of Wight County

Press . " Deceased was always a very good townsman , his public duties having included the office of overseer , and being of a genial disposition he was generally much respected . The funeral took place the following Thursday afternoon , at Ventnor Cemetery , the Rev . W . T . Storrs , vicar of Sandown , officiating . There Was a

large attendance oi Masons , the deceased having been a prominent member of the Order in the Island . He was a P . P . G . D . of the Craft and a P . P . G . S . O . of the Mark , also an Arch Mason , but not of the Isle of Wight . The remains of the deceased were brought to Ventnor by road , and were met at the foot of Alpine

Road by the Brethren , who preceded the hearse to the Cemetery , wheie the last sad offices were impressively performed , the Masons concluding the ceremonial by singing the hymn " A few more years shall roll" and performing the signs of committal . A number cf wreaths were placed on the coffin by sympathising friends .

Reports Of Meetings.

REPORTS OF MEETINGS .

We shall be pleased to receive particulars of Masonic meetings for insertion in our columns , and where desired "will endeavour to send a representative to report Lodge or other proceedings .

CRAFT : PROVINCIAL .

LODGE OF FREEDOM , No . 77 . THE usual monthly meeting of this ancient Lodge was held on Monday , at the New Falcon Hotel , Gravesend . The W . M . Bro . William Gunn presided , and was assisted by his Officers : Bros . George Masters S . W ., John Solomon J . W ., J . P . White acting S . D ., F . W . Martin J . D ., Bev . Augustus

Jackson Prov . G . C . Chaplain , George Backstraw P . M . Treasurer , J . C . Biggs P . P . G . D . C . Secretary , Thos . Deane P . M . acting I . G ., Frank Hitohens P . M . D . C ., E . B . Wilks A . D . C ., Bobert Matthews Organist . There were also present Bros . G . T . King P . P . G . P ., Wm . Barlow P . P . G . O ., W . H . Hedges P . M ., J . A . Whitfield P . M ., B . C . Fowle I . P . M ., J . J . Goldfinch , J . Munday , A . Pearson , H . E . Porter , J . G . Prevost , S . J . Stallworthy , W . H . Martin )

and many others . The Visitors included Bros . J . B . Colwell P . M . 1791 , A . T . Skinner S . D . No . 2 ( Scottish Constitution ) , and W . Wadkinson , of the Bulwer Lodge , of Cairo . The only business before the Lodge was the passing of Bro . H . P . Mackenzie to the degree of Fellow Graft . The ceremony was very creditabl y performed by Bro . Gunn , and was much enhanced by the admirable manner in which Bro . J . P . White fulfilled the duties of Deacon .

Bro . Hitchens proposed , and Bro . Fowle seconded , a vote of thanks to the Chaplain , for the excellent Masonic Service arranged by Bro . Jackson , who acknowledged the compliment . A letter of sympathy and condolence was sent to the widow of Bro . Austen , who was drowned since the last meeting , at which he appeared in such high spirits .

Bro . Fowle I . P . M . was presented with the handsome jewel of the Lodge , as he was absent from the installation , and returned his thanks for this mark of regard . The Master having received the good wishes of the Brethren , the Lodge was closed , and the meeting adjourned .

HARMONY LODGE , No . 220 . THE members held their annual pic-nic on Wednesday , 11 th inst ., when about forty-five members and friends spent a very pleasant ' day at Buxton . The . W . M . Bro . Griff E . Jones , on behalf of the Past Masters , Officers , and members of the Lodge , presented Mrs . G . W . Hughes , wife of the Immediate Past Master , with a very handsome gold watch and chain , as an acknowledgment of the interest she had taken in the welfare of the Lodge .

NEW FOREST LODGE , No . 319 . AT the monthly meeting held at the Bugle Hotel , Lymington , on Tuesday ; 10 th inst ., Bro . B . Catt S . W . was unanimously chosen as W . M . for the ensuing year , and he will be duly installed at the next meeting . It was agreed to present Bro . G . R . Masters W . M . with a Past Master ' s jewel in gold , as a mark of appreciation of his services in the chair . Bro . H . Domain P . P . S . G . D . was re-elected Treasurer for the twenty-sixth successive year , and Bro . Le Boy was again appointed as the Lodge ' s representative on the Provincial Charities Committee .

V . \ J w BLAGDON LODGE , No . 659 . THE annual excursion of the members was held at the ancient and historical village of Bamburgh . The weather was propitious , and a most enjoyable day was spent . The magnificent castle , which is now the property of Lord Armstrong , and where about 200 workmen are now busil y engaged renovating and rebuilding it , was visited by the party . The ancient

parish church , which is of architectural and historical interest , and contains the burial place of the Forster family—so prominent in the Jacobite insurrection of 1715—was a source of great attraction to the visitors , whilst the tomb of Grace Darling was scanned with much interest . Dinner was provided at the Victoria Hotel , and the excursionists left Lucker Station at seven o'clock in the evening , highly delighted with the day ' s outing .

WELLINGTON LODGE , No . 784 . AT an emergency meeting of this Lodge , held on Wednesday , 18 th inst ., at the Masonic Hall , Deal , under the presidency of the W . M ., there was a good attendance . Bro . Goldfinch having answered the usual questions was most carefull y passed by the W . M . Bro . Brown I . P . M . gave the second charge , and the lecture on the tracing board with marked effect .

Afterwards the W . M . proposed the usual Loyal and Masonic toasts , Bro . Newton , Mackintosh and Bird responding for the present and past Provincial Officers . Bro . Bird P . P . S . G . W . proposed the Visitors , who included Bro . Newton P . M ., Keddell P . M . 1185 , C . Woods P . M . 2345 , Mackintosh P . M . 1096 , and others .

DUKE OF EDINBURGH LODGE , No . 1182 . THE annual installation meeting took place on Thursday , 12 th inst ., at the Temple , Hope Street , Liverpool , in the presence of a large and influential gathering of Grand and Provincial Grand Officers . After the customary preliminary proceedings , the installation ceremony proper was commenced , when Bro . H . B . Wright , a gentleman well-known on 'Change and in musical circles , was duly installed for the ensuing year . Bro . A . Morris was the Installing Master , and did his work in a very able manner . Subsequently Bro . H . B . Wright invested his Officers ,