Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

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

THE SECRETARYSHIP OP THE BOYS' SCHOOL .

To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAU SIR AND BROTHER , —As an admirer of Bro . Binckes , and one who desires to show appreciation of the valnable services rendered by that Brother in fche cause of Masonic Benevolence , I am delighted to hear that a meeting of his friends is proposed , in cider to nnango

thafc the course of events shall be watched on his behalf . I have long felt it to be veiy unfair thafc Bro . B nckos shonld be left single handed to cope with fche numerous committees and organizations springing up all over the country for the one object of attacking him , or at least attacking the principles of which he has long bren the

responsible head . It appears to me , Bro . Binckes ia expected to discharge the dntiea of hia office as efficiently as he has hitherto done , to show the same amonnt of interest in the affairs of the Institution of which he is Secretary as in years gone by , and all in face of severe opposition , personal insults , and a lack of sympathy which is

far from creditable on the part of the Masonic Order . Ifc is not for me , perhaps , to cast the firsfc stone , but I think thafc a protest should be offered , even if something stronger is not attempted , to put an end , for the present , to the canvass which is going on on behalf of ono or other of tho brethren who have decided to oiler

themselves as candidates for tho office now hold by Bro . Binukos . T consider it most unbecoming , oven indecent , to canvass for au appointment still held by a Mason who , although , perhaps , misunderstood by a few , has won , and still retains , tho esteem and regard of tho Bugj lish Craft : and I would suggest that thc Committee of the Institution

who , ifc must be remembered , aro availing themselves of Bro . Binckes's services and experience , ahould spare him the annoyance he must feel in hearing of the " vultures" eager for hia post , by announcing that any one canvassing for the appointment before the office is declared vacant shall be ineligible to compete for it . This wonld not

bo an illegal proceeding , for in many Charifc ' os canvass at any time is a disqualification , and surely this little consideration for the feelings of an old and tried servant is ret much to ask . Besides this , there are the interests cf the Institution to be considered , and is it reasonable to expect that its present Secretary can

properly discharge his duties , in face of the annoyance and worry these premature attacks musk occasion him ? Is ifc fair to ask a man to make his own coffin , or dig his own grave , when he is yefc iu the enjoyment of health , strength and energy ? and yet this is what the Craft is forcing upon Bro . Binckes . He is retained in bis

position as Secretary , expected to put eveiy thing in order and make all easy and comfortable for a successor ; and it must indeed gall him to hear on every side the claims or the qualifications of this or that candidate for his office . Surely there is enough of decency and love of fairness left in the ranks of the Croft to check

the unnecessary , ill-advised , ancl ill-timed proceedings of these reformers (?) I am afraid I am digressing from my oiigiual intention in writing to you , bufc whilo I waa thinking what I ahould say in this letter I read what may be described aa the " electioneering address " of one

of these candidates , and I felfc considerably annoyed at the bad taste such an early publication displayed . Bufc fco return , I am informed a p-eliminary meeting is proposed to be held at the Holborn Restaurant next Thursday , to sattle what steps are necessary to be taken by the friends of Bro . Binckes to " watch the case on his

tehalf . " The action of these " friends" need not , nor ia it at all likely , to in any way affect the interests of the Institution ; on the contrary , ifc is likely to strengthen it , by putting a check on some of the unseemly riot now indulged in . Afc the present time the wildest statements may be put forth as truth , and they usually go

unanswered , simply because there is no organisation to reply on behalf of the brother principally interested . This , I imagine will be one of the questions to be considered , but beyond it there is another field open for labour—I consider tbat some stepa should be taken to meet the legal and regular resolutions passed in various quarters , in

regard to the retiring allowance to be given to Bro . Binckes , if his removal is decided npon . For instance , at a numerously attended meeting of the Charity Committee of the Province of West Lancashire , recently held , ifc was unanimously agreed , so says the

Liverpool Mercury , "thafc a sum nofc exceeding £ 200 shonld be suggested to tbe brethren at the approaching P . G . Lodge meeting , as the retiring allowance of Bro . Bincke ? , the Secretary of the Boys ' Institution . "

I do nofc know on what basis these West Lancashire brethren fix £ 200 as an adequate pension , bufc I think that such valuable services aa have been rendered by Bro . Binckes should bo fairly and properly recognised , and , personally , I do not consider the sum hero decided upon is enough . Perhaps a committee of Bro . Binckes's friends

mighfc be able to coi respond with the West Lancashire representatives , as well as other Provinces where tho matter has been officially noticed , and arrange an amicable and unanimous understanding , which would be far better than a severe and stormy discussion when the matter comes forward for actual settlement . Ib must not be

forgotten that Bro . Binckes has many supporters , and if ho ia : ot treated properly they will resent it , jusfc as seme of the opposition threaten to do if his services are , in their estimation , over valued . In either case , if disagreement is carried to extreme ? , the Institution will suffer j bufc if au amicable settlement , io w ! ich both

Correspondence.

sides concede something , ia arrived at , all " may be well , and the future prosperity of the Charity assured . I am , Sir , yours fraternally , Lux

The Old Masonians

THE OLD MASONIANS

Wo have bean asked to insert tho- following circular nntirffi —

AN ASSOCIATION OF EX-P UPII . S OF THE ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS .

DEAU SIR , —I have the pleasure ] to enclose you our Third Annual Report and Financial Statement , and afc the same time desire to draw your attention more particularly to fche objects we have in viow . The Committee cannot but feel that were these objects more fully known anions tho general body of Freemasons , assistance in further .

ing the main purpose of the Association would not bo wanting , and they would therefore solicit your kindness in submitting these matters to the members of your Lodge . It is the aim of tho Association to extend tho works of those whoso energies have hitherto been devoted to the efficient maintenance of

the Sohool . Tho education provided being of a sound and practical character , we are naturally solicitous of seeing thafc education rightly directed aud applied . As there are several lads who , from time fco time , leave fche Institution without friends to counsel and aid them , we , as an Association ,

are desirous of assisting in placing them in good and permanent situations , for which by their education they aro eminently fitted , and in furtherance of this object , the Committee feel that they cannot do better than to apply to their first friends , and ask them to roinoiubor tho lads they havo assisted lo educate , should any

opportunity occur , or any vacancy iu their respective businesses arise . I havo conlidenco that this appeal will not be made in vain , and I shall be pleased to correspond with any gentleman on fche matter . On Saturday , 2 nd November , a dramatic performance will be given by the members , at St . George ' s Hall , Regent Street , W ., the proceeds

of which are to be devoted to the formation of a " Benevolent and Grant Fund . " The object of this Fund will be ( firstly ) to assist any Old Boy , who , throngh no fault ; of his own , may be in temporary distress ; ( secondly ) to make grants , returnable or otherwise as the Conncil may determine , to members situated in snch circumstances as it is felt would warrant ? uch a course and be deemed advisable

and ( thirdly ) it is hoped in time to realize snch an amount as will enable the Association to set apart a sum for an annual Scholarship to a pupil of the R . M . I . B ., which sum could be used either as a means of further education or fir purposes of apprenticeship . Several members of the Craft have expressed a desire to be more

closely connected with the Association , and as the office of Vice-President is open to all Freemasons on payment of a donation of £ 3 3 s , and any Freemason may be elected as Hon . Associate on payment of an annual subscription of 10 s 6 d , ifc is hoped that many of

our well-wishers will show by practical sympathy their interest in fche affairs of the Association . Trusting we shall receive the snpport of your Lodge , and feeling sure that our aims will be considered worthy of your encouragement ,

I am , dear Sir , Your obedient servant , ALFRED WATKINS , Hon . Seo . 21 Belgrave Road , St , John ' s Wood , N . W . September 1889 .

Gleanings.

GLEANINGS .

— : o : — Ambition , restrained within due limits , may seem to bo a whole * some property cf life . A desire to excel , to be foremost ; in fcho race for earthly hononrs and rewards , may stimulate exertion and lead to large enterprises . Ambition is a passion , however , which is very

likely to break away from control and get the mastery . It is very apt to unite the elements of envy , pride , vanity , covetousnesa , and other base qualities , so developing a character by no means worthy of commendation , and leading to results that are most repulsive . Well has it been said : — "The nature of ambition is to make men

liars and cheats , and hide the truth in their breasts ' , and show , liko jugglers , another thing in fcheir months ; to cut all friendships and enmities to the measure of their interest , and to make a good countenance without the help of a good will or an honest heart . " When

this sort of ambition is let l-. ose in the community , and when men thus influenced become prominent in the affairs of any organization , only the worst resorts can ensue . The root principle of nn unhallowed ambition is selfishness .

There is a growing feoling in Toronto thafc ifc is about time to call a halt in decorating the walls of the Toronto . atreet hall with portraits , life-size , of Past Grand Masters . In this democratic country , and in such a democratic Institution ED Freemasonry shonld be , mon aro often the idols of a passing hour , and then drop into obscurity .

There are , however , men of such noble qualities thafc thoir names will long be revered , but such men would prefer being remembered For their sterling qualities than by being portrayed on canvas > . The portraits may be historical in a way , but when the honest Masonio historian of the future does his duty more than one of the illuminated scraps of history will be objects of contempt . The length of a Mason's cable-tow is measured by his own standard , and he aloue is responsible for that test of judgment ,