Correspondence.

will refer to , and that is " . Allegorical . " It is a word abundantly used in Masonry , and within certain limits is necessary , but unfortunately in our teachings has fallen sadly into abuse . Locke , in his " Essay on the Understanding , " calls upon ua earnestly to " DeHne our terms , " and his axiom in reference to this word " Allegory " should be carefully borne in mind in any future " Revision . "

In thus replying to my friend , I have endeavoured to point out some of the principles upon which Revision should be founded . These definitions or canons , comprised in a few articles , would be a guide to the Preceptor , and give a clearness to his teaching ; they would become tho principles of our philosophy , and when once prin . oiples are agreed upon the rest follows as matter of detail . Masonry

above all things should remember the axiom of Locke , " Define your terms . " Finally , I caro not to reply to my friend's charge of ( i assumption , " but contend that I have at least assisted in making out a case for REVISION . A revision which should be made only under competent authority , equally independent of the tinkering of " those Lodges who "

( on the authority of Bro . Gottheil ) " in the east , ivest , north , and south , are by no means idle to introduce important improvements , " and , on the other hand , to quote again the language of Bvo . Gottheil , of "those obstructives whose perverse , unreasoning proclivities , incline them to venerate and holdfast antiquated notions however ridiculous

and opposed to common sense . " It would seem , indeed , that Bro . Gottheil ' s condemnation is far more sweeping than anything proceeding from me . " Art thou my very son Esau , for thy voice is Jacob's voice ? " Dear brother Gottheil , after all we may not be far from each other , but , Jacob or Esau , I claim thine hand . W . VINER BEDOIFE , M . D ., P . M . 1329 , Author of " The Footsteps of Masonry . " 22 nd October 1876 .

To the Editor of THE FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —In my introductory letter of the 11 th ult ., it was suggested that any controversy to which it might give rise should be carried on without personality , and in a good Masonic spirit . It will give much pain to others , and to myself , should any of your correspondents injudiciously lose sight of the very simple

question at issue , viz ., "the propriety or otherwise of using certain words in our rituals , " and , by attacking persons or principles , bring discredit or ridicule upon our Order . Tending very much to such a result is the letter of an esteemed friend , " formerly Hon . Sec . to the Sphynx Lodge of Instruction , " with which I totally disagree . It commences with an error , which has effectually destroyed the reserve

I had thought advantageous to the cause I have at heart , and compels me to at once adopt the suggestion made in " P . G . W . ' s" letter , and declare myself . It continues with a statement which , to many , will be a great surprise , for tho late lamented Preceptor referred to never , during a close acquaintance , extending over eighteen years , enunciated such a remark to me , nor , as far as I can learn , to those who were his

pupils long before my friends initiation ; and indeed could hardly have done so in any case , seeing that he was everywhere surrounded by many whom ho had himself inducted into tho chair of K . S . The admirable and exhaustive reply of Bro . Gottheil to tho remainder of the letter enables me to dispense with any farther reference to my friend ' s communication .

To Q . we are much indebted , for he has taken up tho discussion in the needful manner , and ventures upon the expression of his opinions without anxiety as to their ultimate adoption or otherwise . P . G . W . 's letter has given me much encouragement , and I am greatly obliged to him for his reference to previous labors , to secure " Uniformity of Working . " I have re-read tho letter of tho 27 th

March 1869 , which was tho commencement of a discussion loading to the unanimous vote of Grand Lodge , 1 st Dec . 1869 , ( tho occasion of tbe investment of H . R . H . The Prince of Wales , as P . G . 3 L ) , " that a Committee should be appointed to enquire and report on the subject , " and I see no reason to alter the views therein expressed . If you would give mo space for a re-print of that letter , it might prove interesting

and useful in connection with tho present discussion . The plan then proposed is nearly the same as that suggested by Bro . Hughan , and to which P . G . W . refers , and was approved of by him ; and as it is well known in Masonic circles how thoroughly well considered all recommendations from Bro . Hughan aro , yonr readers would probably be gratified by an opportunity being afforded them to learn what has

been and still is sought for . Meanwhile " revenous a nos moutons" !—Preceptor No . 1 says , " The sun being the centre of our solar system , " & o . ; No . 2 says , " The sun being a fixed body , " & c . Again No . 1 says , "Tho distinguishing badge of a Mason ; " No . 2 says " Of an E . A . Freemason . " And again , No . 1 says , in 3 ° , "Thatno trace or remembrance of , " & c . ; No . 2 says , "Remains . " Which is Correct ? Yours fraternally JAMES STEVENS , P . M ., P . Z . Clapham , 23 rd October 1876 .

To the Editor of THE FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —I have been much interested in some of tho questions which havo of Into been under consideration in your valuable journal . May I trouble you with another question , which , to a young Mason at least , is puzzling ? That is—How to know what

constitutes the secrets and mysteries of Freemasonry which every Brother should consider himself under obligations to avoid the least hazard of disclosing ? Some have flooded tho country with their endeavours to make all so clear that thoso who run may read , even introdacing wood cuts to make things plainer ! Ono is . reminded of Cowpcr ' s for °

Correspondence.

bidden part of tho pig , which every Mussulman was enjoined not to eat , but that particular part being undefined , each naturally thought it must be the part he did not like , so amongst them they ate it all . Also , when P . G . Lodges ( I refer in all cases to the first three de .

grees ) are opened from manuscript , ona may reasonably ask , What is the use of Lodges of Instruction when the Brethren havo examples before them of those in authority saving themselves the trouble , and showing how easily everything can be done ?

With fraternal regards , I remain , youra truly , 1545 Yorkshire . October 1876 .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Mark Master Masons, Of The County Palatine Of Lancaster.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF MARK MASTER MASONS , OF THE COUNTY PALATINE OF LANCASTER .

THE annual meeting was held in the Masonic Hall , Cooper Street * Manchester , on Monday , 23 rd inst . There was a largo assemblage of the brethren from all parts of the Province ; visiting brethren wero sparse . After the ordinary routine business of the Province had been got through , the Most Worshipful Grand Mark Master Mason of England and Wales and

the Colonies and Dependencies of the British Crown , Brother the Earl of Limerick , entered the Lodge , escorted by a goodly attendance of Past and Present Grand and Provincial Grand Lodge Officers , and , on ascending the throne , was saluted in the customary form known to Mark Master Masons , when he at once proceeded to instal

the Right Honourable Lord Skelmersdale as Prov . G . M . M . M . for the County Palatine of Lancaster , as successor to the highly beloved deceased Bro . William Romaine Callender . The newly invested Prov . G . M . M . proceeded to nominate and invest with the jewels of their different

offices—Bro . Le Gendre Nicholas Starkie D . Prov . G . M . M . M . „ T . Hargreaves Haslingden ... Prov . G . S . W . „ R . McDowell Smith ... Manchester .., „ G . J . W . „ Thos . Oakden Rochdale ,., „ G . M . O . „ G . Cornfield Barrow ... „ G . S . O . „ G . 0 . Neill Bury ... ... „ G . J . O . „ The Rev . D . Hyde ... Liverpool ... „ G . Chaplain „ The Rev . A . A . Bagshawe Buxton ... „ Assist , do . „ J . DufEeld ... Manchester ... „ G . Treas . „ E . Simpson Lancaster ... „ G . Reg . „ John Chad wick Manchester ... „ G . Sec . „ H . Jackson ... Liverpool ... „ G . S . D . „ W . Allcock Bolton ... „ G . J . D . „ J . Sutcliffe Haslingden ... „ G . S . of W . „ G . R . Jones Rochdale ... „ G . D . of C . „ W . E . Qnayhe Liverpool ... „ G . Swd . B . „ J . Barlow Whitefield ... „ G . Std . B . „ W . Briggs ... Rochdale ... „ G . Organist ,, J . Sleight ... Manchester ... „ G . Tyler

The business of the Lodge over , the brethren assembled in the large dining hall , where they partook of a sumptuous banquet , tbe R . W . Prov . G . M . M . M . Bro . the Lord Skelmersdale presiding , supported on his right by the M . W . Grand Master the Earl of Limerick , Bros . John Sutcliffe . R . W . Prov . G . M . M . M . of Lincolnshire , Bro . Davison Grand Mark Treasurer ; and on his left by the Prov . Grand Chaplain

and tho Assist . Prov . Grand Chaplain , Bros . Heine , Binckes , Alpass , and other well-known brethren of tho Mark Degree . The customary Royal toasts of " The Queen , " " The Prince and Princess of Wales and the rest of tho Royal Family , " were proposed and acknowledged . Appropriate songs and glees , by a choir of professional singers , were much approved .

The M . W . G . M . M . M . proposed " Health , happiness , and a pleasant term of office to the newly-installed R . W . Prov . G . M . M . M ., " with whom he had for some very many years been intimately connected in many good works , and , although he had sometimes to come nnder his whip , it was , from his genial disposition so kindly administered that it was always a pleasure to acknowledge it .

The toast was drunk in tho most enthusiastic manner , with repeated salutes aud cheers . The R . W . Prov . G . M . M . M . proposed " The Health of the Chief of M . M ., " who responded , and was frequently interrupted by cheers of approval . The Deputy Prov . G . M . M . M ., Bro . Le Gendre Nicholas Starkie ,

having had to retire from the Lodge early , in consequence of domestic affliction , "The Health of the newly-installed Provincial Grand Officers" was drank most enthusiastically , and was responded to by tho Prov . G . S . W ., Bro . Hargreaves , in a most fluent and superior manner , such as we rarely hear . It is to bo regretted that there are not more frequently in Lodges brethren who conld repeat in detail such fine , practical remarks as Bro . Hargreaves made on this

occa-. The toast of "The Prov . G . M . M ., " coupled with the name of Bro . John Sutcliffe , Prov . G . M . M . M . for Lincolnshire , was drnnk most enthusiastically , and responded to by him . Contrary to nsunl custom , the toast of " Our Masonic Charities " fell to the lot of Bro . Binckes , Grand Mark Secretary , and Secretary to tho Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , who , in the course of a

good , sound speech , informed the Masonic world that already £ 14 , 040 had been received this year in support of tho Boys' School . This toast was responded to by Bros . Heine ( Manchester ) and Alpass ( Liverpool ) , both brethren , it is well known , who take an active interest in the success of our Charities , and who gave some pleasing information of their experience in the working of them . " The Visiting Brethren " was responded to by Bro . Capt . Wordsworth , Deputy Prov . G . M . M . M . for West Yorkshire .

All poor and distressed Masons were remembered at this exceed , ingly good Lodge , and this pleasantly terminated an agreeabl y-spct evening .