Correspondence.

of April 1745 was on Thursday ; and the Grand Lodge marched in procession on that day , preceded by threo " sets of mnsick , " from Brand ' s Head TaA-ern to Drapers' Hall . Tliis v ; as the" last Masonic procession ivhich took place in London . At the meeting of tho Grand Lodgo in 1747 ( the Constitutions say ) , "A motion Avas then made

to discontinue , for the f ntnro , tho Procession of March , which was carried nemine con . " ( See Constitutions . " Printed for G . Kearsly , in Ludgate-street , Loudon , " 1769 . It is evident , then , that tho procession described by Hone took place ou Thursday , 18 th April 1745 . J . N .

" WHICH IS CORRECT ?"

To the Editor of the F KEEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAK SIR AND BROTHER , — " As the sonnd of the trumpet to the war horse" is tho " Editorial" under the above heading in your last week ' s impression to me , and I can do no less than respond to the call to further battle ou bohalf of tho good cause of purifying Masonic ritual and observance .

The correspondeuco to which yon refer will be found in tho pages of your journal between tho dates of 11 th September and 16 th December of the year 1876 , since when all reference thereto has ceased until now . I find , on careful re-perusal , that a considerable number of interesting subjects were then submitted for the consideration and determination of " workers " in Craft Masonry , and I

have reason to think that in very many quarters the correspondence Las borne good fruit . But on the other hand , tho prejudices of many members of the Masonic Order havo been permitted to stand in the way of a general acceptation of the commonsense interpretation of several portions of tho ritual therein referred to , and the endeavour to substitute tho light of reason for the darkness of error

Las been met Avith tho aAvf nl word " Innovation ! Nevertheless , if your " Editorial" aud this letter should meet with any such response from your readers as would testify to a desire on the part of oven a limited number of earnest Masons that tho subject should be again discussed in your pages , it will afford me much pleasure to resume my labours to that end .

In order that the whole question may be thoroughly understood , nnd brethren made acquainted with tho practical result sought to be attained , I will briefly recapitulate a few past events which bear npon the subject . On the 27 th March 1869 , I inserted in the pages of your contemporary , the Freemason , a letter under the heading "Uniformity of Working , " in which I directed attention to the great

and important differences existing in the ceremonials as conducted in various Lodges , both Metropolitan and Provincial . Thia letter produced an amount of personal correspondence Avhich , although it startled me by its extent , and involved moro labour than I had contemplated , proved how very deeply Freemasons of every rank felt the importance of the proposals submitted . Consequently , at the

Quarterly Communication of Grand Lodge in December 1869 , which was more largely attended than any previous meeting , our present Royal Grand Master being then installed as Past Grand Master , I proposed , "That with a view to securing greater uniformity of working and observance of tho same usages aud customs throughout the E- Verul Lodg-S held under the authority of the Grand Lodge of

England , a Committee of Past Masters be appointed to inquire into tho merits of the respective systems of working now in practice , and to report to Grand Lodge thereon , with such recommendations as they may think necessary to prevent deviation from tho established mode , such deviations being , according to the Constitutions of Freemasonry , improper , and not to be justified or

countenanced . " This proposition was carried without a siugle dissentient , and I had reason to think success would assuredly crown my efforts . But , alas ! for the mutability of all mundane aspirations j after further labour , and kind and hearty assistance from staunch Masonic friends , a cold wind arose in tho East , and presently dried up the fertile ground and withered the branches of the young and

promisebearing tree . The appointment of the proposed committee was adjourned sine die , for what reason I never could account , aud the proposition yet stands on tho minutes of Grand Lodge awaiting a " raising , " Avhich I still hope Avill one day be accorded to it . Between 1870 and 1876 only casual reference was made to this matter in our Masonic publications , and then you kindly gave insertion to my first letter

under the heading " Which is correct ? To the correspondence which resulted I UOAV refer your readers , aud if they Avill only show sufficient interest it may probably induce me to publish the same in pamphlet form for distribution amongst our Lodges and Lodges of Instruction . In a report ( FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE 3 rd May ) of the Wellington

Lodge of Instruction at Deptford , I read thab the W . M . on that occasion , Bro . Bumstead P . M . and P . Z ., expressed his "deep regret at a practice Avhich , of late years , had become common amongst 1 ' receptrrs of Loclgi s of Instruction , of introducing phraseology of moir mvii in the working of the ceremonies , instead of employing th . ancunt awl recognisedrUual . " ( The italics aro mine ) . Exactly

-o ! but what is tho " ancient and recognised ritual P" Bro . So-and-so says he works it , bnt Brother Knowbettor says So-and-so is Avrong . i ! ud again tiro . Leader says both are in error . Who is to decide when Preceptors disagree ? Surely not Bro . Novice , twelve months a -ias ' . er Mason , Avho not infrequently assumes superior knowledge t _ i he practised veteran of twice twelve year-Past Mastership !

And this again reminds me of the fact that there is something connected AVKti thy growth of our Older which is certainly not correct . I im-an the facility Avith whioh junior members of Lodges , hardly Hedge . i , us it wore , can leave their parent Lodges , and obtaining Avarninis ii . r new Lodges , become Wardens and Masters without having uu _ -rgouo tho necessary preliminary discipline , or having the requisite instruction to fit them for such exalted positions . But that it would appear to be au importiueut interference with the

Correspondence.

prerogative of the M . W . G . M . ( of which , nevertheless , I have my donbts ) , I should have no hesitation in proposing to Grand Lodge that no petition should be considered unless all the petitioners had been at the date of petition Master Masons for at least three years , aud that of their number three of them shonld have served tbe office

of Warden . I could adduce instances of Lodges established without such foundation which have not prospered , and I know of a Warrant , said to bo lately granted , tho W . M . designate of Avhich cannot work tho opening and closing of a Lodge . True , it is to bo very select , aud highly respectable , but for all that tho chances ato against its being a credit to the Order as an exponent of the working

of Freemasonry . I must not take up more of your space by further comment now , but hope to address you again on these and cognate subjects . To all those brethren who think with me that tho end in view is not altogether unattainable , I appeal for support and advice in the search for information " which is correct , " and I shall be very pleased indeed if any should deem my remarks important enough

to be criticised . I take no offence at well meant criticism , if only my critics " fight fair , " and aro as single minded as I desire to be . Meanwhile , to resume the old style in whioh my letters of 1876 terminated ,- in illustrating the ornaments of a Lodge Preceptor No . 1 says , the Mosaic pavement is the beautiful flooring , & c . Preceptor No . 2 says , tho Masonic pavement , & c , & c . This example of divergence may not be so important as those formerly set out , but it is Avorth while knowing—Which is correct ?

Yours truly and fraternally , JAMES STEVENS , P . M ., P . Z . Clapham , 19 th May 1879 .

To the Editor of THE FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAK SIR AND BROTHER , —In common with many others , greatly regretted the abrupt termination of the interesting correspondence whioh appeared in your columns some two years since nnder the above beading . There can bo no doubt that Bro . Stevens did good Masonic service at that time by calling attention to the

many discrepancies in ceremonial ritual , and endeavouring to elicit the opinions of tho Craft generally Avith a vicAV to correct errors . If our brother is still as earnest in the cause of Freemasonry as , from the frequent notices of his continued labours in the several degrees , I have reason to believe he is , it is to be hoped your

reference to his former work may induce him to resume the subject . Shonld he do so , I feel assured ho will not want support , and he may certainly rely on tho consideration and thanks of many of his brethren . Yours fraternally , A MASTER MASON . 20 th May 1879 .

Consecration Of Zion Lodge. No. 1798.

CONSECRATION OF ZION LODGE . No . 1798 .

fllHIS ceremony was performed on the 12 th May 1879 , at the X Hulme Town Hall , Manchester , by Bro . G . W . Mellor D . P . G . M . East Lancashire , Rev . E . H . Aldridge P . G . Chaplain , Bro . W . I-enyon P . G . S . W ., J . J . Lancashire P . G . J . W ., John Salmon P . G . D . C , J . H . Sillittoe P . P . G . D . C , Edward Hardon P . G . S . D ., Bro . Newton Acting P . G . Secretary East Lancashire , Thomas Mitchell P . G . Tyler ; many Past Provincial Grand Officers from neighbouring

Provinces , Past Masters from neighbouring Lodges , and about seventy brethren . The musical arrangements wero in the hands of Bro . Dumville P . M . and other brethren . A Craft Lodge was opened at 2 30 p . m . Lodge having been raised to third degree , Provincial Grand Lodgo was announced . The brethren sainted the D . P . G . M , and Officers , according to ancient custom . Warrants having been

presented , Bro . Sillittoe P . P . G . D . C . then delivered an interesting and eloquent oration on the Origin and Objects of Freemasonry . The ceremony of consecration was then performed by Bro . Mellor D . P . G . M ., assisted by the P . G . Chaplain , in a most excellent and interesting manner . The chair of K . S . was then taken by Bro . M . Hart P . M . 1502 , the Installing Master , whenBro . E . Nathan P . M . ( W . M .

designate ) was presented , and received the salutations of the brethren . Tho W . M . invested his Officers as follow : —Bros . J . Aronsberg P . M . I . P . M ., liev . H . D . Marks S . W ., D . A . Davis J . W ., M . Newman Treasurer , S . Mamelock Secretary , A . M . Hart S . D ., D . A . Davis J . D ., S . J . Jourdaine I . G ., E . Wise Steward , J . Sly Tyler . Several propositions for joining and initiation were handed in . The

W . M . then rose to propose a voto of thanks to tho D . P . G . M . for performing the consecration ceremony , and also to P . G . Officers for able assistance , which was received with acclamation . Bro . G . XV . Mellor D . P . G . M . responded . It gavo him great pleasure to be present that day , Avhich would be a red-letter day in his Masonic career , this boing the first Jewish Lodge consecrated in the Province ;

he wished tho Lodge every prosperity . A vote of thanks was also accorded to the Blair Lodge for able assistance . Hearty good wishes Avero then expressed , every brother testifying to the great pleasure he had experienced in witnessing tho ceremony . Tho Lodgo was then closed in ancient form , and tho brethren adjourned - to the banquet room , where a most choice menu , Avas provided by Bro .

M . Bianco in excellent stylo . Tho usual Loyal and Masonic toasts wero duly honoured , interspersed with some excellent songs , glees . & c , and a very pleasant evening AA-RS brought to a close with the Tyler ' s toast . It is with great pleasure we bear testimony to the excellent and efficient manner iu which Bro . M . Hart P . M . performed

tlio installation ceremony—it was simply perfection ; we hope again to have the pleasure of listening to his excellent addresses . There is every prospect of this Lodge becoming very successful , as the members who have promoted ib are Avell known in the Craft , and many influential brethren have intimated their intention of joining . We therefore wish them every success , and a prosperous career .