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 .

PEOFICIENCY BEFOEE ADVANCEMENT .

To the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —Your article in this week ' s issue anent " Proficiency bofore Advancement " is a very excellent one , and the title is quite as applicable to promotions in Lodges , of Officers who are quite incapable of carrying out the duties of the respective offices to which they are appointed from timo to time , merely on account of their seniority in Lodge membership , to the exclusion of junior members capablo of doing the work .

This state of things in some Lodges is deplorable , and does not reflect credit on tho principles of tho Lodges whore men are promoted from one office to another , without having fulfilled their duties perhaps once after their investituro , but have not failed to participate in the pleasures of the " fourth " degree .

I understood when I was first admitted a member of this ancient and honourable Institution that promotion was given on account of " merit and ability" and not merely by seniority , as is unfortunately the practice in many Lodges . I cannot understand how Brethren can accept an office

without endeavouring to make themselves in someway proficient in the necessary work , as nothing is more annoying to those interested in tho Masonic Ceremonies than to see the work of the Lodge carried out in a slovonly and inefficient manner . I should much like to see your opinion on this subject . Yours faithfully and fraternally , A V . Y . M .

To the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLK . DEAR SIR , —I was much interested in the article under the above title in your valuable paper , as I have from my initiation been interested in the ceremonial work .

In several Lodges that I visit I find men put into positions of J . and S . D ., and also in the chairs , who cannot even do tho work of I . G ., and very frequently do not turn up in time to assist in the opening of the Lodge , so that a junior officer or perhaps a lay member has to occupy the position and do the work for him .

In my own Lodge I regret to say I have been present when not a single Officer has been in his position , and lay members and P . Ms , have had to do their work , and yet these men are gradually being advanced . Our J . W . this year has not taken his place in the Lodge for two or three years , and yet he turns up at refreshment , and also at the Installation meetings , and receives the collar of the higher office , and this is because he is senior as a member to A . or B ., who perhaps never misses a meeting , and is willing and able to take any position that may bo required of him .

To say the least of it this sort of thing is not encouraging for young members to retain membership of the Lodges when this practice continues . Our late S . W . could not assist in opening or closing even , but , fortunately for the Lodge , he left the neighbourhood before being elected to the chair . Yours fraternally , MASON .

A New Site For The Boys School.

A NEW SITE FOR THE BOYS SCHOOL .

To the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —I am very sorry indeed to see it even suggested that the Craft should start on what may truly be termed the mad scheme of building an extension , or , more properly speaking in this case , an alternative building , in which to accommodate the pupils of the Masonic Institution for Boys . Personally I am very strongly opposed to the expenditure of tho charity funds of Freemasonry in bricks and mortar , and I know there are many more members of the Order in this country equally averse to it .

The initial cost of such a procedure is bad enough , but it by no means ends there . As soon as the Craft gets a fine building it must have fine fittings , and fine servants to put in it , with the result that most extravagant ideas arc formulated and generally carried through , as it only seems necessary to start a fresh cry in order to ensure a plethora of money being poured in to satisfy it—the latest illustration of this being the proposal to

increase the Head Master's salary , with , as you put it , the all but certainty of a general increase all round a few weeks after . I warrant most of those who argue in favour of this increase do so on the ground that there is a very large establishment to look after at Wood Green , so that , instead of the Craft being thanked for its past liberality , it is really used as a lever by which to draw further amounts .

But I do hope , Dear Brother Editor , that this removal business is not regarded seriously—I rather wish it may be an imagination of your own ; for I think the day is passed for the erection of extensive buildings by such Charities as the Educational Institutions of Freemasonry . We are told on all sides that education is now provided by the State , and I do not think there are many who will dispute the fact that the truth

of this is being brought home to the country more and more every day , as people accustom themselves to sending their children to free Schools . 1 can remember the time when attendance at a free School was regarded almost as a disgrace , which is certainly not the case now , and I can well imagine 'he next generation being astonished at the heavy fees paid by the middle classes of to-day for what in many cases is but the most indifferent tuition .

If anyone wants illustration of the advantages of distributing the benefits of the Institutions at the homes of the recipients let them turn to the Benevolent Institution , which , I venture to think , would never have attained its present proportion or usefulness if all the Annuitants had been

A New Site For The Boys School.

collected in one building . Or to be more on a par with the subject now under discussion , turn to Lancashire , where a local fund is doing almost as much good as the Masonic Boys School—or such is my opinion—at a tithe of the cost , simply by paying the cost of education , & c , ot pupils at their own homes , and thereby not only helping the individual member of tho family concerned but , probably , others also , without compelling the widowed mother to . part with her child and thereby perhaps rob her of her only remaining comfort .

I should bo very pleased iudeed to hear that some special scheme was proposed in connection with the celebration of the Centenary of the Institution , but I hopo and trust it will not iuvolve any outlay in bricks and mortar . As an alternative I would suggest the creation of a Fund from which to provide oducation or other assistance for children at their own homes , and I venture to think that if some such course was adopted , in a few years we should find

the " assistance " branch of the Institution as popular , or even more popular , than the " boarding in " arrangement that now alone prevails . At least there can be no harm in giving the matter a trial , surely no one will argue that such a course is undesirable , and I venture to think it may be the means of retaining for the Educational Institutions the support of the Provinces , some of which are already forsaking them in order to advance the interests of thoir local " assistance" schemes .

There are too many orphans of Masons in this country deserving of assistance to allow of them being all accommodated in one School , and on the basis of half a loaf being better than no bread I think the Institutions for Boys and Girls should seek to widely extend the number of their beneficiaries by spending smaller sums on each—and the payment of home expenses seems to be the best way to arrange this . Yours , & c . G . P . W .

Why Men Join The Masons.

WHY MEN JOIN THE MASONS .

rflHE " New York Sun , " during the session of the Grand I Lodge of that State , had the following editorial paragraph : While the Freemasons are holding conference in this city will some one of them give us a satisfactory explanation why men still join that famous society ? What is the attraction possessed by it . Whence does the impulse

to join it spring ? Do men become Masons to profit by the practical benefits of the association , or on the theory that membership will be useful to them morally , or because they think it a desirable club , or becauso their friends belong to it , or because wherever they may be , the world over , they arc pleased by the sense of differentiation from all other men as members of a

vast society ? Or are they attracted by the halo of its antiquity , or by the glitter of its ceremonies , or by the unrivalled grandeur of its titles , none of which apparently is beyond a man of the more humble talents ? Or what can be the influence or influences which keep the society alive and strong ? Why should men be Masons , any way ? Why is any one a Mason ?

The following reply appeared in the " Sun " of the following day .

To the Editor of the " Sun . " SIR , —In your paper of to-day you ask that some Freemason give you a " satisfactory explanation why men still join that famous society 1 " I will try to answer your question , but whether my explanation will be satisfactory must depend upon the spirit in which the question is asked . I will try to answer all your questions seriatim .

Men join that famous order or society generally unsolicited , because they have formed a favourable opinion of it from what they have been told and what they have read abont it , and very few ever leave it voluntarily . It possesses the attraction of fellowship with men who have been found worthy to be accepted in its ranks , and who , therefore , will be pleasant companions . It is based on allegory , and teaches many valuable lessons in morality , and its tendencies are toward the knitting together of a Brotherhood of man .

As it is in all societies where men are brought together in intimate relation , each one feels a responsibility for the success of the fraternity resting on his shoulders . Unworthy men may get in , but they soon find that they have wandered into the wrong fold and will get out again . The order is so organised that if a man joins for mercenary motives he soon becomes marked , and is either radically cured of his error or drops out . Many men

join because they believe it to be a good thing to belong to an order as universal as Masonry is , and which gives him the privilege of visiting kindred Lodges all over the world , with his Masonry as a practical letter of introduction to those who would otherwise be strangers . Others desire to find a body of men with whom they can become intimately acquainted and maintain pleasant relations .

Undoubtedly there are many people ignorant of the order and its objects who have many erroneous notions about the order , such as , In instance , the supposed immunity from punishment for wrongs committc 1 by aid of the order , and the protection given by the members . This is absolutely false . On the contrary , the order will punish wrong-doings by its members , and will not conceal a member ' s misdoings .

As every one cannot join the order , and therefore it is a mark of preferment to become a member , some may join for that reason . The best reason I can give for being a member of the order is that I thought I should like it , and joined ; and havin' * been an active member for over thirty-five years , have never regretted it ; have been benefited socially , morally , physically and financially in an economic way , and had I to do it over again , knowing what I do , I most certainly would join to-day if I were not already a member .

I am a Mason because I like the order , all its ceremonies and objects , and if others knew what I do they would join as well .

Hoping that my explanation will be satisfactory . I am , truly yours , A FREEMASON New York , 5 th June .

" The Prude's Progress , " Jerome K . Jerome's charming comedy , takes the place of "The Passport" at Terry ' s Theatre , and will continue its successful career on Monday , 29 th July , with Miss Fanny Brough , Mr . Cyril Maude , Mr . Edward Righton , and the original caste from the Comedy Theatre , which will shortly be required for Mr . Comyns Carr ' s now production .