Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

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

LODGE VICTORIA IN BTJRMAH .

To the Editor of THE FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAK SIR AND BROTHER , —In my communication of the 28 th Octobei last , I explained to you tho proceedings which had taken place relating to the exclusion of Bros . A . L . Vaillaut , T . N . Seymour , J . C . Jordan , E . P . Dover , and J . C . Marsh from Lodgo Victoria inBurmah , No . 832 , in consequence of their having opposed tho election and

installation of Bro . the Rev . J . E . Marks , and if I mistake not you havo received copies of the papers relating thereto . You wero pleased to express an opinion iu the columns of your paper favourable to tho contention of these brethren . You aro awaro that at tho Quarterly Communication of the 5 th December last , tho Grand Lodgo was pleased to decide , that Bro . tho Rev . J . E . Marks election aud installation ( he

not having served tho office of Warden for a whole year ) was illegal and invalid , and peremptorily directed the restoration of tho excluded brethren to Lodge No . 832 . Tho Grand Secretary communicated the result of the appeal direct to the appellants , and to tho W . M . of No . 832 , which communication was received on tho 10 th instant . At the next regular meeting of tho Lodge , on the 11 th inst . ( which , by a

singular coincidence , was tho very clay and occasion last year on •which the charges wore brought against these brethren ) , the five brethren presented themselves at their Lodgo , and requested to be allowed to take their places in the Lodgo , when they were informed by a P . M ., who is also the D . D . G . M ., the I . P . M . being alsopresent , that their attendance at Lodge was premature , and that they could not be

admitted ; tho brethren pleaded the peremptory orders of the Grand Lodge , that they had como in a friendly spirit , & c , but all to no purpose . It was admitted that similar orders had been received from the Grand Lodge , but these could not be attended to , as tho Grand Lodge had based its decision in ignorance , aud had made somo mistake in procedure , so tho brethren had to go back , looking considerably

small , disappointed aud crest fallen . If the Lodge now appeals to tho Grand Lodge against its own ruling , months will elapse before these brethren will or may be restored to their full privileges . Dear Brother , what do you call this , contumacy or rebellion ? What is the punishment ? It is worthy of note that when the Lodgo was opened , and tho W . M .

elect had been installed , the Grand Secretary ' s letter was read and disposed of as above reported , although the W . M . had only a few minutes before sworn " strictly to conform to every Edict of the Grand Lodge ! " Alas ! how lig htly do snch obligations set upon the consciences of some . In my last communication I concluded thus— " So Masonic

irregularity and official high handedness join hands , and pursue a crooked career , knowing that no ono , not even tho District Grand Muster can or will intervene . This is a sad , but truthful state of affairs in this district at present , and yet I fail to see any escape from snch a chaotic condition . " Is not the above an exemplification of what I havo already

stated ? I understand au appeal will bo made to tho District Grand Lodgo . Yours fraternally , A LOOKER Ox RANGOON , 19 th Jan . 1878 .

How To Provide For Candidates For The Charities.

HOW TO PROVIDE FOR CANDIDATES FOR THE CHARITIES .

To the Editor of THE FREEMASON ' S CUKONICLE . DEAK SIR AND BROTHER , —I put a solution of thia simple problem before my brethren with the hope that every one who has moral courage will exert himself to condemn a wrong ; and having recognised tho right course , will pursue it to the end . Let tho Charities have your first consideration and support , and

make everything subservient to them . This will meet the case without any difficulty , aud without any brother having to subscribe an extra penny . A caso has been brought to my notice where £ 230 waa spent on refreshments , and £ 1 on the Charities . I ask , ia not thia a case of gross improvidence ? aud does it not show that brethren of honourable

aud religious motives should seek to reform this terrible abuse , by which so many thousands of tho funds of our Lodges aro prostituted to purposes opposed to the sublime principles of Masonry ? A brother may bo in wealthy circumstances to-day , to-morrow he may lose his appointment , however lucrative , through indiscretion or other causes . His bank may break ; his business fail ; his life

maybe prematurely taken , and his widow ancl fatherless children may bo left on the mercy of the world . Aro these questions unworthy of consideration ? and aro they not suggested by a proper feeling towards those bound to us by the most sacred tics ? Brethren whose health is their capital , and who move in a humble

sphere , will sec that they stand en the edge of tho precipice , close to penury , and it behoves them to be provident . I would any to such , Seek to know tho amount spent last year on refreshments and on the Charities . You know not what day may make vour wife a widow .

I anticipate the disfavour my appeal will meet with , but the honest brother who looks to himself , his family , and the Charities , will rightly appreciate my motive . I feel I am discharging a conscientions duty to God , the Craft , and tho Charities by making this appeal , which 1 do with as much earnestness as affection .

How To Provide For Candidates For The Charities.

It may be asked what I wonld have done . Let the brethren decide to meet every legitimate case of distress that arises . Tho Secretaries of our Institutions , having access to the Grand Lodge V , ¦ •rister—with tho number of members in each Lodge—can easily apportion the amount required , and send to tho various Lodges particulars of tho sum wanted . Tho Lodges should then vote the amounts from their

funds . By this course no individual would bo taxed , but refreshments should bo limited , after duo provision had been made for tho requirements of the Charities . I trust I shall not appeal in vain when I urge the brethren not to throw away their funds . Surely , whilst God is bountifully helping us , we ought to help ourselves .

The Grand Officers , tho Provincial Grand Officers , tho Clergy , and all who wish to reform tho abuses , and uphold the prestige and high character of Masonry will not fail , I am sure , to use their influence to promote the exercise of heaven-born charity .

Brethren , tho adoption of tho course I commend to you will help to relievo your anxiety when your dying hour shall como . For tho honour of tho Most High , for tho good of theso excellent Charities , and for tho interest of those most near and dear to you , bo united ; persevere , and may God fully reward you .

I am , & o . W . DARLEY P . M . 12 Batsfoot Road , Deptford . 18 th February 1878 .

Traduction.

Traduction .

A .-. L . \ G . \ D . \ G . \ A .-. D . \ l'Univ . - .

GRAND ORIENT DE FRANCE . 0 . - . de Paris , le 30 Janr . 1878 , E . \ V . ' . Au E . \ 0 . ' . F . \ Loth , Garant d'amitio du Gr . ' . 0 . \ de Franco pros la Grande Loge d'Ecosse . SIR AND DEAR BROTHER , —You ask if a candidate who should , on presenting himself to a Lodge , declare that he is an Atheist , and does not believe in tho G . A . O . T . U ., would bo admitted ? Hero is my

answer : 1 . French Masonry does not believe that there exists Atheists in the absolute sense of the word . 2 . It believes there are among men different ways of conceiving and comprehending the existence of a Supreme Law or a Supreme Being .

3 . Proclaiming liberty of conscience as the birthright of every , one , it thus thinks that it cannot impose any particular religious belief . 4 . It leaves upon these delicate questions every member free , and excludes none on account of religious persuasions . 5 . Not having to ask a candidate whether he believes or not in

God , since it would havo been necessary to make some sort of definition in reference to the matter ( a thing which'has always led to somo very regrettable discussions ) , French Masonry will not have to discuss the question you put , aa such a question would not , nnder present circumstancos , havo its raison d ' etre , ancl , therefore , coald notlogically be raised iu Lodgo .

6 . It is in this view , and to appease all minds , in the body of tho Lodges under our jurisdiction , that a modification of our Constitn tion took place . 7 . However , if despite of all , such a caso as the ono referred to shonld present itself , the Lodgo certainly would not fail to consider whether it is in tho presence of a " stupid atheist or a vain bully , "

( fanfaron vaintcux ) , or before a mind whoso superior acquirements might justify an exception in his behalf . It is thus that Gr . 0 . formerly counted among its illustrious members the eminent astronomer Lalande , ancl the great philosopher Helvotias , and others , who openly professed atheistic principles . 8 . I have already told yon , Dear Brother , and I repeat , nothing has

been changed in the practices of French Masonry . Without troubling itself with religions beliefs , and disclaiming to lay on any restriction , it admits into its bosom all good men following the moral law , accord * ing to tho spirit as well as the letter of tho old Masonic Charter , aud the rule laid down by Anderson . 9 . Not being a religion , it has suppressed from its constitution a

dogmatic formula that in 1849 cropped in ; a formula -which seemed to make of the French Rito a particular one , as it was written neither in tho Masonic Code of England , Ireland , or Scotland , nor in that of auy other country ! 10 . Beingnoithor Atheist nor materialistic , as is proved by its official declarations , the Grand Orient has preserved , without , however , making it obligatory , the old Masonic motto— " A la gloire du Grand Architecto

de 1 Univcrs "—which is as much scientific ancl philosophic as , perhaps , religious , whether it be considered as a figurative allusion to our Grand Master Hiram , or as a glorification of labour , that labour which , by the French Constitutions , is imposed npon all true Masons . I conld not , Dear Brother , personally resolve tho question you put me otherwise than by the above explanations ; and I trust that you will find them satisfactory , aud that they will havo an echo in many hearts and minds .

Leceivo , Dear Brother , tho assurance of my devoted and fraternal feelings . Le chef da Secretariat , THEVENOT .

Hor . LowAr ' s OINTMENT \ yn TILLS . —Diseases of tin ; kin , ringworm , scurvy , . jsmnrtice , scrofula , or king - * evil , sore hearts , an-i ...,- most inveterate skin disease to which the human frame is subject , cannot Lu treated with a more sat ' o and certain remedy than Ilollowny ' s Ointment and fills , which act so peculiarly on tho constitution , and so purify the Mood , that thes : diseases are at owes eradicated from the system , and a lasting cure obtained . They are equally efficacious in the cure of tumours , burns , scalds , glandular swellings , ulcerous wounds , rheumatism , contracted and stiff joints . These medicines operate mildly ai ilsurely , Tho cures effected by them are not temporary cr apparent or'y , bu ,: rcplete . aud . penuaaeut , *