Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

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

MASONIC JURISPRUDENCE . To the Editor of THE FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR Sin AND BROTHER , —If you have no other correspondent replying to " A Country P . M . " I shall bo glad to do so , as I think his letter important , and one that should bo fully answered . First , then , let me inform him that tho W . M . of a Lodge has the power to carry

out tho dntios of his Office in any way he deems proper , provided it be not contrary to tho usages and established customs of the Order , or against the Book of Constitutions . If , however , ho commits any breach of tho Masonic Law ho renders himself liable to impeachment before tho Grand Master if a London Lodge , and before tho Prov .

Grand Master if a Provincial Lodge . Secondly , it is not the privilege , and certainly not the duty of the I . P . M . ( or any other P . M . ) to take upon himself any duty when the W . M . is present , nnless appointed to that duty by the W . M . It is tho privilege of tho I . P . M . to take tho chair in the absence of

tho W . M ., aud in the absence of both , then tho senior P . M ., and so through the P . M . ' s in seniority ; but if tho W . M . invites a visiting Brother to perform any of the ceremonies , he has a perfect right to do so , although , out of etiquette , lio would no doubt ask tho sanction of tho P . M . ' s , and possibly state his reasons for that course . I have seen

this done in Lodges , and havo myself , as a visitor , assisted iu tho ceremonies , and only last Aveek a visiting Brother to a Lodge with which I am connected , at tho request of tho W . M ., performed the ceremony of raising , in a manner not often seen even in the Emulation Lodgo of Improvement , to the great gratification of all the members .

Yours faithfully ancl fraternally , MAGNUS OUISEN , P . P . Grand Jr . Warden for Surrey .

To the Editor of THE FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAK SIR AND BROTHER , —In reply to "A Country P . M ., " I bog to say that tho Master of a Lodgo has tho unquestionable right of inviting any qualified Brother to perform tho duties of the chair . But it is an act of courtesy to the members of tho Lodgo for the W . M .

to inqniro if any Brother has an objection to his wish . I see , by the report of tho Frederick Lodge of Unity , in your last issue , that the W . M . adopted tho course referred to above , and ho is certainly to bo commended for his conduct . Brief as this reply is , I feel it is fully ail that need bo said . Yours fraternally ., A LONDON P . M .

DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —Permit mo to oCFer a few remarks in reply to "A Country P . M . " in THE FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE of tho 20 th inst .

To the Editor of THE FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE .

Iu tho Book of Constitutions , p . 78 , Clause 6 , Edition ISGv , are contained tho Avhole law upon the matter in question . Wo there find "If tho Master * * * be incapable of discharging tho duties of his office , " the S . W ., J . W ., the I . P . M . or S . P . M . " shall act as Master in summoning tho Lodge , " and " in the Master ' s absence the I . P . M ., or if he be absent , tho S . P . M of the Lodge present shall take tho

chair . " Here note two points , the reference to incapability is limited , in the first instance , to summoning tho Lodge , and by whom that dnty is to be performed . Iu the second instance , incapacity caused by absence limits the duties of the chair to the I . P . M . first , and if ho is absent , to the S . P . M . of tho Lodge present . The Book of Constitutions does not limit tho power and discretion

of the W . M . when present . Should he feel himself uuablo to perform the duties of initiation , passing and raising . Ho is simply restricted by the paramount dnty to provide a legally qualified person to fill the chair for him , and is himself responsible for tho proper performance of every ceremony so performed . Courtesy , kindness , brotherly feeling , and due regard to iho wishes of tho P . M . 's of his

Lodge , and the brethren generally , Avonld dictate his ottering the honour first to his I . P . M ., aud iu his absence to the 3 . P . M . present , in preference to inviting au Installed Master not a member of his Lodge . I can readily conceive such a case arising , as that a special pleasure may bo given to a candidate , or to his pronoser , or to the Lodg' -,

by asking au Installed . Master from another Lodgo to perform the ceremony , without being intended to slight or ollund tho P . M . ' s of his own Lodge , and would suggest the possibility of such being so in the Lodge referred to by " A Country P . M . " It is , I fear , often thought by brethren that the W . M . whou iu thr chair can be questioned and influenced by the authority of ono or more brethren as to his discharge of the duties of tho chair . Bro .

Dr . Oliver says , p . 17-t ' * ' Masonic Jurisprudence , " " Tho Master ' s authority in tho Lodge is despotic as the snn in tho firmament . " Also , p . 107 , " As to placing another qualified brother in tho chair , that is beyond the power of tho Lodge , " so also iu the Charge to the Initiate in . 1 st degree ! " So must your obedience be proved s ' ' ¦ ¦ i ); by a perfect submission to tho ? uaslur . " In conclusion , I will quote tho woivls of advice given by Bro . Dr . Oliver bearing on this point , p , 150 , " Magonio Jurisprudence , " " Such

Correspondence.

being the power ot tho W . M ., and tho entire subordination of tho broth , ren , it will be evident that tho greatest care and circumspection ought to be used in the choice of a brother to ( ill that important office * * * Jit ! ought to be trusty , of good repute , skilled in , Masonic hnowlndi / e , a

lover of the Craft , courteous in his manners , and firm in principle . " I fear I may have trespassed too far on your space , but having a sincere desire to help a brother in trouble , I hope you will accept my intention as ample apology ; and I remain , Yours fraternally , P . P . J . G . W . Staffordshire .

DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —In reply to the question raised in your last issue by ' A Country P . M . " as to whether a W . M . has " tho power to invito any other Installed Master , not a Member of tho Lodge , to perform" tho ceremonies of initiation , passing , ami raising "for him , Avhen his I I ' . M . and several other P . M . ' s ( all able and

To the Editor of THE FREEMASON ' CHRONICLE .

Avilliug to do the work ) aro present , " permit mo to offer him the following by way of solution . It is stated at p . 1 ( 55 of Oliver ' s " Masonic Jurisprudence" that " should he " ( the W . M . ) " feel any embarrassment in working the ceremonies , he may call on any qualified Brother , whether a member of his own Lodgo or not , to assist him . In all such cases it is advisable for the ceremonies to bo performed

by a Past Master or the same Lodge . It follows , if this ruling bo correct , that while it is advisable , it is not obligatory that the W . M . should seek tho assistance of a P . M . of his own Lodgo in performing the duties of the chair . Tho P . M . ' s of i \ Lodge whose W . M . should habitually invito a visiting P . M . to assist him , would have grounds for complaint , on the score of courtesy , but not on tho score of law . A

W . M . s abstention from the performance ot his official duties , that is , his virtual absence from the Lodge , aud his actual absence arc hardly , it seems , to be looked upon as parallel cases . Tho Constitutions provide that , in tho W . M . ' s absence , the I . P . M . shall take tho chair , or in his absence tho Senior P . M . present , and so on , see p . 78 , section ( 5 . Tho case of abstention from duty , Avhether partial or complete , as

stated by " A Country P . M ., " I do not find anywhere provided for . For my own part , I think a W . M . should , as a matter of simple ! conrtesy , invito ono of the P . M . ' s of his own Lodgo to perform for him any part of his duties . Or should he desire tho assistance of a visiting P . M ., I would suggest his following tho example of Bro . Maatermnn W . M . of Frederick of Unity Lodge , No . 452 , as described

in your last week's report of a recent meeting of that Lodge . I give your own words : " Bro . Mastorman then rose , and stated that , iu consequence of domestic affliction , he did not feel quite himself , and if the Past Masters of the Lodge Avonld kindly grant permission , he woukl ask his esteemed friend , Bro . John Constable P . M . 185 , to Avork tho ceremony

ot raising in favour of Bro . Frederick Cassell , who was that evening a candidate for tho sublime degree . This request Avas graciously acceded to by the several P . M . ' s present , and Bro . Constable took the chair . " I do not like to picture to myself in a Lodgo of Masons any member

showing Avilful discourtesy towards another , aud least of all tho W . M . towards his predecessors in tho chair . Yet I think a W . M . would bo guilty of such if he did not first of all invito their assistance , or else do as W . M . Bro . Masterman did , request them to waive their privilege by conrtesy in favour of a visiting P . M .

I remain , Dear Sir and Brother , Faithfully and fraternally yours , "Q . "

Symbolism.

SYMBOLISM .

To the Editor of THE FREEMASON ' CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —Tho following Avill , perhaps , suffice in somo measure to make apparent to "ENQUIRER ' S" mind what is the application of the 47 th proposition of tho 1 st book of Euclid to Freemasonry . It is from Vol . I ( Masonic Institutes ) of tho Remains of the Early Masonic Writers , edited by Dr . Oliver . Tho essay from Avhich it

is extracted is tho very first in tho book , on " the Ptiso aud Progress of Freemasonry , " the writer being anonymous , and there being no dato attached . Having stated the nature of the proposition , its delineation on tho Master ' s tracing board , and the namo of its reputed author , Pythagoras , Avho regarded it as the foundation of geometry , the nameless writer proceeds to apply it us a symbol of

Freemasonry . "As , " writes lie , "tho figure above mentioned depends on the connexion <¦ " the several lines , angles , and triangles which form the whole , so i'UEEMASONUV depends on tho unanimity and integrity of its members , the immutability of the principles upon Avhich tho society is established . Tho position is clear , and therefore , in a

synthetical souse , we demonstrate that somo of our brethren , from their exalted situation in life , roiling in their chariots at ease , and enjoying every luxury , pleasure , and comfort , may with strict propriety bo con-; -.: dorcd as standing on the busij of earthly bliss , emblematic of the greater square , vfhieh subtends the right angle . Others , whom providence hath blessed with means to tread on the flowery meads of

afiluence , are descriptive ot the squares which stand ou the sides which form th :. right angle . The several triangles inscribed witl ^ in : ho squares arc applicable to thoso happy beings , vlio enjoy every social comfort , anil never exceed the bounds of mediocrity . Those who ,

by application to peculiar arts , manufactures , and commerce , from their several productions , not only add to tho wealth of the nation , aud to the happiness of tho exalted , but havo tho heartfelt satisfaction of administering to the Avants of the i idigeiitand industrious , may , with strict justice , be compared to the angles which surround and support the figures , whilst the lines which , form ft remind ya of