Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Correspondence.
CORRESPONDENCE .
We do not hold ourselves responsible for the op inions of our Corespondents . 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 .
. v . FINANCIAL TABLES FOR THE YEAE . To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —Yonr correspondent " P . M . 1607 , " must be commended for the useful and comprehensive tables which he furnished to your excellent journal last week . So far as I have bf-en
able roughly to judge , they seem accurate ; there is , however , one palpable error for whioh , it may be , the printer is to be held responsible , though ifc is so self-evident thafc no one can possibly be misled by it . Giving the total aggregate of contributions to the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls during the septennial period , vonr cor .
respondent puts ifc at £ 41 , 908 7 s 3 d ; and in striking the annual average puts ifc at £ 15 , 986 19 s 7 d . Any one with the slightest knowledge of figures would of course immediately detect the redundant fignre , and see that the average should be £ 5 , 986 19 s 7 d . With this exception the tables appear to mo to be accurate , and they should be
most extensively circulated for the information and benefit of tho brethren throughout the conntry . I can hardly suggest how this might best be done ; but ifc occurs fco me thafc such tables , if circulated amongst the various Lodges interested , wonld stimulate inqniry , and perhaps action in a right direction . Anyhow , tho
members of the various Lodges would know exactly how they stand with regard to the Masonic Charities , and whilst the information may be cheering and encouraging to those who havo behaved liberally , it might " fetch some " of the lagging sections in the Craft , and induce them fco repair dereliction of duty of which they might have
been guilty in tbe past . Your correspondent has evidently been afc great pains and labour in the compilation of so useful a set of tables , aud all who puruse them will agree that the " Craft may be congratulated upon the handsome manner in whioh our noble Institntions are supported by the Pro
vinces generally . " Ifc is to be hoped that both Devonshire and Lincoln will pay heed to the suggestions conveyed by the tables referred to , although the former Proviuco has a local educational charity of its own , and the latter is about to follow a similar example . The case of West Yorkshire is equally conspicuous , whilst the
Provinces in regard to which smaller deficiencies are quoted , sbonlrl take the lesson to heart which your correspondent conveys , and endcavour to amend their past inactivity by increased effort in the future .
In any case the dissemination of such valuable returns amongst tho Lodges could be productive of nothing but benefit to tho Craft , and I , with many others , hope somo scheme may be devised of bringing the facts and figures prominently under tho notice of the brethren in every past of the country .
I am , Dear Sir and Brother , Yours fraternally , TREASURER .
THE " BUSINESS" OF FREEMASONRY . To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —I can quite follow some ot * fche thoughts suggested in your article of the 14 th instant , anent the " vexatious restrictions" and the " levelling influences" that are brought to bear upon the Craft in the present age . That fche charity of
Freemasonry loses much of its charm and value by excessive systemisation is readily apparent , and thafc Masonic benevolence shonld be guided by the hateful principles of a Charity Organisation Society is a matter that no true admirer of the Craft can contemplate without feelings of abhorrence . Were the present mode of dispensing
the charitable funds of the Order once hampered by the miserable and inquisitorial system adopted by that institution there would be a universal shrinking and hesitation on the part of those * usually willing to subscribe , and many deserving needy ones would suffer fche direst hardships rather than seek for charity bestowed under snch
galling circumstances . Organisation , as yon observe , may be in some cases , a "guard againsb imposture , " but it is the experience of all who have had anything to do with the distribution of charitable gifts that it is the whining hypocrite and impostor who most frequently breaks throngh tho cordon of organisation , whilst
the really necessitous aud deserving , afraid even to look askance at the hand of charity , is too often " sent empty away . " Bnt that organisation should be ir . sti'nted to "secure a due return for what has been given in Charity ! " is a proposition so palpably absurd that it might well raise a smile on
tho countenance of any one who can read between the lines . Charity belies its name when it asks for a return ; it is not the hand of Charity that grants a ? o _ n of any kind . If organisation means to transform Freemasonry into a loan office , then it will descend to a level far beneath the friendly societies with whom we boast we
compare so well in the present day . Thoro can be no organisation so far as Masonic Charity in its truest sense is concerned , and those who harp so frequently and so loudly on the subject of Masonic mendicancy and imposture are too commonly those who raise a bogey in order to
provide themselves with an exenso for buttoning up their own stingy pockets . The second point iu tho article which struck me as somewhat incongruous is , thafc whioh speaks of tin " excessive knowledge" of
Correspondence.
Masonry which it seems the aim of the brethren to acquire . Thafc fco my ear has a particularly grating sound . You have dono good suit ; and service in recommending them to emulate the example of those who have aspired to aud obtained positions in the Craft ; th-dr zeal and assiduity in acquiring knowledge , but I can hardly see
that to " rattle oft the Ritual without a slip" is a fault which destroys the " lasting impression " that ought to be made on the mind of a candidate rather than the perfection of study which is always enjoined upon Masons . The "lasting impression" on the minds of many of us is that the Worshipful Master
who initiated us , instead of rattling off the ritual without a slip , bungled over it and tripped afc almost every sentence , and beseechingly appealed to some good Samaritan , in tbe shape of a Past Mastera , at his elbow , fco enable him to stagger through tbe work of the degree . " Clumsy" and " rusty " Masons have always been
stigmatised as "drones , ancl ib is absurd to decry the ambition for acquirement of knowledge . Respecting Lodges of Instruction , the question is asked whether Freemasonry owes its origin to Lodges of Instruction , or whether Lodges of Instruction are dependent for fcheir existence on the Lodges themselves ? Wo may as well ask whether a
mother owes her origin to her child , or whether she is dependent upon her infant for support ! We have been taught to regard Lodges of Instruction as the "nurseries" of the Craffc , where those ambitious for office and for general usefulness in Lodges may gain the instruc . tion and groundwork necessary to fcheir advancement . To stultify
their action , therefore , seems to be a most anomalous proposition , ancl I consider it no breach of etiqnette when a brother is called upon to respond to a toasfc that he should advise all who are desirous of progress in Masonic stndy to attend the Lodges of Instruction , which is the very besfc school
of learning that can be recommended to them . I endorse the remark that it is the " duty " of every Mason to support the Lodges of Instruction , and he must bo a selfish man who , having derived all the knowledge—" excessive , " it may be—of Masonry , would bottle it up in his own breast , and nofc allow those who come after him the opportunities of Masonio education .
I remain , Dear Sir and Brother , Fraternally yours , Quiz .
-620 . — TOBACCONISTS OosrMKrrciNct . —An illustrated guide ( 110 page . * *) " How to Open Bespectably from £ 20 to £ 2000 . " 3 Stamps . H . M . HRS & Co ., Cigar and Tobacco ^ Merchants , 109 Euston Road , London . Wholesale only . Telephone No . 75-11 .
Ad00702
STANMOREHILL,MIDDLESEX. TBSAlBlUC.©!, !SOI?SI*. 10 miles from Marble Arch , by road . 2 inilen from lid 1 } ware Station , G . N . lt . 'A } miles from the Marrow Station , " L . __ _ V . 7 P . 7 _ . 3-j miles from Mill Hill Station , Midland Railway . r piIIS old established Hotel is very retired , healthy , and charm . * ingly situated , it offers great inducements to private families , and a large Assembly lloom has lately been added for Meetings , Balls , Wedding Breakfasts , Dinners , Masonic Lodi . cs , Banquet ., -to . Arrangements can bo made for conveyances . CHARLES VEAL , Proprietor . The Abercorn Lodge , 1549 ; Sub-Urban Lodge , 1702 : and the Stanmore Chapter , are held here . ¦ ' ¦ --W-- __ - « - ___ - __ ___________ . ___ , M ___ i l | H ^ 1 HIIWIII l » l- ____ B _>_ --1 ^ _| | U | M || - ____ -- __________ e _ - _ ----W >__ l 11 I II ¦_ - __ - ¦¦_—— -.... ¦—_^*
Ad00703
IJJ torn.1#tifQlmmikfit.tn!m&§Umma. By Bro . JAMBS STEVENS , P . M ., P . Z ., & c . " May be read with advantage by the whole Craft . "—Sunday Times . " ' . YSMMI Lodge should at once set to work to secure the desired uniformity . " —Sheffield Post . " Tho subject is ably argued by the author . "—Western Daily Mercury . " U- * oful and valuable in the highest degree . "—Exeter Gazette . " IV U have a material effect on the future of Masonic Ritual . "—South Western Star . " Tho author adduces rnauy vanations in the language used by different Preceptors "—Cox's Monthly Legal Circular . " Ought to be inthe hands of every Mason . "—Northampton Guardian . " To Freemasons generally ifc will be found useful and valuable , and -we commend it to their notice accordingly . "—Surrey County Observer . " Bro . Stevens' -notion for a Committee on the subject of Uniformity of Ritual was carried by a large majority . "—Freemason ' s Chronicle report of Grand Lodge meeting , 3 rd December 1879 . Sent , by post , on receipt of stamps , by the Author , Bro . JAMES STEVENS , 112 High-street , Clapham , S . VV " . or by Bro . W . W . MORGAN , Belvidere Works , Hermes Hill , Pentonville , London , N .
Ad00704
FIREATFREEMASONS'HALL! LARGE photographs of the Temple , taken immediately after the fire , on 1 th May ( suitable for framing ) , 5 s each ; or framed in oak , securely packed , sent to any address in the United Kingdom , carriage paid on receipt of cheque for 15 s . Masters of Lodges should secure this memorial of the old Temple for their Lodge rooms . W . G-. PABKTDB , Photographer , 40 High Holborn , W . C I ... al-li _ . u * .. 25 . Ciir .
Ad00705
DANCING . —To Thoso Who Have Never Learnt tc Dance . —Bro . and Mrs . JACQUES WYN MAN * ¦ _ receive rt . ;!; . * , and undertake to teach ladies and gentlemen , who have never had the .- ' . igbresfc previous knowledge or instruction , to go through every fashionable ball-dance in a few easy lessons . Private lessons any hour . Morning and evening classes . PROSPECT !/ :, o :. APPLICATIOX . ACADEMY—74 KEV . HAN STREET , OXFORD STKE . T . V . BRO . JACQUES WY _ . J _ .- _ -. WILL _ _ HAPPS : IO TAKB TUB I _ A-. AG _* I _ _ . _ : OB MASOMIG BALLS . I ' ISSI-CLASS BANDS PKOVJD _ > .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Correspondence.
CORRESPONDENCE .
We do not hold ourselves responsible for the op inions of our Corespondents . 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 .
. v . FINANCIAL TABLES FOR THE YEAE . To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —Yonr correspondent " P . M . 1607 , " must be commended for the useful and comprehensive tables which he furnished to your excellent journal last week . So far as I have bf-en
able roughly to judge , they seem accurate ; there is , however , one palpable error for whioh , it may be , the printer is to be held responsible , though ifc is so self-evident thafc no one can possibly be misled by it . Giving the total aggregate of contributions to the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls during the septennial period , vonr cor .
respondent puts ifc at £ 41 , 908 7 s 3 d ; and in striking the annual average puts ifc at £ 15 , 986 19 s 7 d . Any one with the slightest knowledge of figures would of course immediately detect the redundant fignre , and see that the average should be £ 5 , 986 19 s 7 d . With this exception the tables appear to mo to be accurate , and they should be
most extensively circulated for the information and benefit of tho brethren throughout the conntry . I can hardly suggest how this might best be done ; but ifc occurs fco me thafc such tables , if circulated amongst the various Lodges interested , wonld stimulate inqniry , and perhaps action in a right direction . Anyhow , tho
members of the various Lodges would know exactly how they stand with regard to the Masonic Charities , and whilst the information may be cheering and encouraging to those who havo behaved liberally , it might " fetch some " of the lagging sections in the Craft , and induce them fco repair dereliction of duty of which they might have
been guilty in tbe past . Your correspondent has evidently been afc great pains and labour in the compilation of so useful a set of tables , aud all who puruse them will agree that the " Craft may be congratulated upon the handsome manner in whioh our noble Institntions are supported by the Pro
vinces generally . " Ifc is to be hoped that both Devonshire and Lincoln will pay heed to the suggestions conveyed by the tables referred to , although the former Proviuco has a local educational charity of its own , and the latter is about to follow a similar example . The case of West Yorkshire is equally conspicuous , whilst the
Provinces in regard to which smaller deficiencies are quoted , sbonlrl take the lesson to heart which your correspondent conveys , and endcavour to amend their past inactivity by increased effort in the future .
In any case the dissemination of such valuable returns amongst tho Lodges could be productive of nothing but benefit to tho Craft , and I , with many others , hope somo scheme may be devised of bringing the facts and figures prominently under tho notice of the brethren in every past of the country .
I am , Dear Sir and Brother , Yours fraternally , TREASURER .
THE " BUSINESS" OF FREEMASONRY . To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —I can quite follow some ot * fche thoughts suggested in your article of the 14 th instant , anent the " vexatious restrictions" and the " levelling influences" that are brought to bear upon the Craft in the present age . That fche charity of
Freemasonry loses much of its charm and value by excessive systemisation is readily apparent , and thafc Masonic benevolence shonld be guided by the hateful principles of a Charity Organisation Society is a matter that no true admirer of the Craft can contemplate without feelings of abhorrence . Were the present mode of dispensing
the charitable funds of the Order once hampered by the miserable and inquisitorial system adopted by that institution there would be a universal shrinking and hesitation on the part of those * usually willing to subscribe , and many deserving needy ones would suffer fche direst hardships rather than seek for charity bestowed under snch
galling circumstances . Organisation , as yon observe , may be in some cases , a "guard againsb imposture , " but it is the experience of all who have had anything to do with the distribution of charitable gifts that it is the whining hypocrite and impostor who most frequently breaks throngh tho cordon of organisation , whilst
the really necessitous aud deserving , afraid even to look askance at the hand of charity , is too often " sent empty away . " Bnt that organisation should be ir . sti'nted to "secure a due return for what has been given in Charity ! " is a proposition so palpably absurd that it might well raise a smile on
tho countenance of any one who can read between the lines . Charity belies its name when it asks for a return ; it is not the hand of Charity that grants a ? o _ n of any kind . If organisation means to transform Freemasonry into a loan office , then it will descend to a level far beneath the friendly societies with whom we boast we
compare so well in the present day . Thoro can be no organisation so far as Masonic Charity in its truest sense is concerned , and those who harp so frequently and so loudly on the subject of Masonic mendicancy and imposture are too commonly those who raise a bogey in order to
provide themselves with an exenso for buttoning up their own stingy pockets . The second point iu tho article which struck me as somewhat incongruous is , thafc whioh speaks of tin " excessive knowledge" of
Correspondence.
Masonry which it seems the aim of the brethren to acquire . Thafc fco my ear has a particularly grating sound . You have dono good suit ; and service in recommending them to emulate the example of those who have aspired to aud obtained positions in the Craft ; th-dr zeal and assiduity in acquiring knowledge , but I can hardly see
that to " rattle oft the Ritual without a slip" is a fault which destroys the " lasting impression " that ought to be made on the mind of a candidate rather than the perfection of study which is always enjoined upon Masons . The "lasting impression" on the minds of many of us is that the Worshipful Master
who initiated us , instead of rattling off the ritual without a slip , bungled over it and tripped afc almost every sentence , and beseechingly appealed to some good Samaritan , in tbe shape of a Past Mastera , at his elbow , fco enable him to stagger through tbe work of the degree . " Clumsy" and " rusty " Masons have always been
stigmatised as "drones , ancl ib is absurd to decry the ambition for acquirement of knowledge . Respecting Lodges of Instruction , the question is asked whether Freemasonry owes its origin to Lodges of Instruction , or whether Lodges of Instruction are dependent for fcheir existence on the Lodges themselves ? Wo may as well ask whether a
mother owes her origin to her child , or whether she is dependent upon her infant for support ! We have been taught to regard Lodges of Instruction as the "nurseries" of the Craffc , where those ambitious for office and for general usefulness in Lodges may gain the instruc . tion and groundwork necessary to fcheir advancement . To stultify
their action , therefore , seems to be a most anomalous proposition , ancl I consider it no breach of etiqnette when a brother is called upon to respond to a toasfc that he should advise all who are desirous of progress in Masonic stndy to attend the Lodges of Instruction , which is the very besfc school
of learning that can be recommended to them . I endorse the remark that it is the " duty " of every Mason to support the Lodges of Instruction , and he must bo a selfish man who , having derived all the knowledge—" excessive , " it may be—of Masonry , would bottle it up in his own breast , and nofc allow those who come after him the opportunities of Masonio education .
I remain , Dear Sir and Brother , Fraternally yours , Quiz .
-620 . — TOBACCONISTS OosrMKrrciNct . —An illustrated guide ( 110 page . * *) " How to Open Bespectably from £ 20 to £ 2000 . " 3 Stamps . H . M . HRS & Co ., Cigar and Tobacco ^ Merchants , 109 Euston Road , London . Wholesale only . Telephone No . 75-11 .
Ad00702
STANMOREHILL,MIDDLESEX. TBSAlBlUC.©!, !SOI?SI*. 10 miles from Marble Arch , by road . 2 inilen from lid 1 } ware Station , G . N . lt . 'A } miles from the Marrow Station , " L . __ _ V . 7 P . 7 _ . 3-j miles from Mill Hill Station , Midland Railway . r piIIS old established Hotel is very retired , healthy , and charm . * ingly situated , it offers great inducements to private families , and a large Assembly lloom has lately been added for Meetings , Balls , Wedding Breakfasts , Dinners , Masonic Lodi . cs , Banquet ., -to . Arrangements can bo made for conveyances . CHARLES VEAL , Proprietor . The Abercorn Lodge , 1549 ; Sub-Urban Lodge , 1702 : and the Stanmore Chapter , are held here . ¦ ' ¦ --W-- __ - « - ___ - __ ___________ . ___ , M ___ i l | H ^ 1 HIIWIII l » l- ____ B _>_ --1 ^ _| | U | M || - ____ -- __________ e _ - _ ----W >__ l 11 I II ¦_ - __ - ¦¦_—— -.... ¦—_^*
Ad00703
IJJ torn.1#tifQlmmikfit.tn!m&§Umma. By Bro . JAMBS STEVENS , P . M ., P . Z ., & c . " May be read with advantage by the whole Craft . "—Sunday Times . " ' . YSMMI Lodge should at once set to work to secure the desired uniformity . " —Sheffield Post . " Tho subject is ably argued by the author . "—Western Daily Mercury . " U- * oful and valuable in the highest degree . "—Exeter Gazette . " IV U have a material effect on the future of Masonic Ritual . "—South Western Star . " Tho author adduces rnauy vanations in the language used by different Preceptors "—Cox's Monthly Legal Circular . " Ought to be inthe hands of every Mason . "—Northampton Guardian . " To Freemasons generally ifc will be found useful and valuable , and -we commend it to their notice accordingly . "—Surrey County Observer . " Bro . Stevens' -notion for a Committee on the subject of Uniformity of Ritual was carried by a large majority . "—Freemason ' s Chronicle report of Grand Lodge meeting , 3 rd December 1879 . Sent , by post , on receipt of stamps , by the Author , Bro . JAMES STEVENS , 112 High-street , Clapham , S . VV " . or by Bro . W . W . MORGAN , Belvidere Works , Hermes Hill , Pentonville , London , N .
Ad00704
FIREATFREEMASONS'HALL! LARGE photographs of the Temple , taken immediately after the fire , on 1 th May ( suitable for framing ) , 5 s each ; or framed in oak , securely packed , sent to any address in the United Kingdom , carriage paid on receipt of cheque for 15 s . Masters of Lodges should secure this memorial of the old Temple for their Lodge rooms . W . G-. PABKTDB , Photographer , 40 High Holborn , W . C I ... al-li _ . u * .. 25 . Ciir .
Ad00705
DANCING . —To Thoso Who Have Never Learnt tc Dance . —Bro . and Mrs . JACQUES WYN MAN * ¦ _ receive rt . ;!; . * , and undertake to teach ladies and gentlemen , who have never had the .- ' . igbresfc previous knowledge or instruction , to go through every fashionable ball-dance in a few easy lessons . Private lessons any hour . Morning and evening classes . PROSPECT !/ :, o :. APPLICATIOX . ACADEMY—74 KEV . HAN STREET , OXFORD STKE . T . V . BRO . JACQUES WY _ . J _ .- _ -. WILL _ _ HAPPS : IO TAKB TUB I _ A-. AG _* I _ _ . _ : OB MASOMIG BALLS . I ' ISSI-CLASS BANDS PKOVJD _ > .