Masonic Ethics.

out of the mere domain of the Masonic Institution , and carried over into the kingflv and priestly domains as well , absorbing what is true in them , while removing what is false , and evervwhere applied to the doinsrs and dealings of

society , then we shall see the redemption of the world ; because the labour of men will then be regulated by justice , and their happiness be perfected in sympathy . So mote it be ! Let us all say , So mote it be ! —Voice of Masonry .

Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions of our Cor . respondents . All Letters must hear the name ani addre * s of the Writer , not necessarily for publication , hut as a guarantee of good faith . We cannot undertake to return rejected communications .

To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —At the meeting of the Lodge of Benevo . lence , held on Wednesday night , 19 > h inst ., it was annonnced that there wpre onlv twplve names on the relief list . This circumstance is rpmarkable from the fact that , trade generally is considered to be in a languishing condition . Personally , mv experience leads me to

TRADE AND BENEVOLENCE .

the conolnsion that in London , at least , all the principal industries and professions are overcrowded with workmen and applicants for engagements . The middle aged man has no chance against the younger members of society ; and as for the greybeard , beneath whose eyes the crows appear to have trod , he is simply out of the running altogether . Believing this to be a true statement of facts ,

so far as London is concerned , I am more than surprised that only twelve applicants laid their claims before the Board of Benevolence , and that the snm of £ 370 was considered sufficient to meet their several necessities . I do not know whether to congratulate the Craft upon this condition of things or not . I fear the paucity of claimants must bo pnt

down to other causes than to the general prosperity . I know the ordinary tradesman would be very glad if money circulated more freely . I do not kuow how you find matter . " , hut I cannot join in the congratulations that most people will be inclined to offer when they read the facts recorded above . I believe there is plenty of money in the country , and if I dared trespass on the domain of

politics , I could show where most of it lies . Withont raising eonfro . vertible points , I may say that there is less money in circulation than there ouerht to be , and that mo 9 t tradesmen feel the pinoh of long-winded credit , and many snffer grievous wrong through the selfishness and indifference of others . I fear that Masons are not exempt from this charge . A little more thoughtfnlness on their part .

just a trifle more liberality m the by-paths of daily life , wonld redound to their credit . Some rather curious cases have corn p under my notice of late which are calculated to stagger the faith of many brethren . I cannot reveal what I knnw ; even if T conld I should remember that excellent motto— " Silence "—while speaking- of a brother . What I cannot say of individnals I may be

permitted to uHer with regard to a body , and I do feel that there is too little of the qniet virtnes practised by many brethren . Departing from these heart-searehings , I wonld refnrn to the immediate qnestion under consideration . I cnnnnt believe that the fewness of the claims for relief is owing to the general prosperity of the community , and I cannot pnt mv finger upon any one cause that

shall account for the peculiar state of things . At the recent Quarterly Communication of Grand Lodge I was sitting by the side of a brother , a North countryman himself , but a membpr of a wellknown London Lodge . When the list of grants to applicants for relief was read over , he remarked that he wnuVl rather snff « r any amount of poverty than snbtn't to the nrdeal to which poor snitors

are snbjected . I reminded him that the Board of Benevolence were the trustees for the general body , that it was necessary to test pvery case before granting relief . While y ielding to the proposition in general terms , he seemed to he under a strong impassion that there was too much of the Mendicity Soripty or Charity Organisation style about the mode of dpaling with cases to please him , or to be

worthy the name of true charity . I do not say that this bro'her is right in his conclusions ; I have had no experience of the Board of Benevolence . If he is onlv partially right , ono cause why brethren , and the widows of deceased brethren , hpsitate to seek Masonic help is disclosed . This opens np a very serions question , and one that needs to bo considered in all its bearings , bnt withal in that noble .

genprons spirit which is incnlcated in the Craft , and is so beautifully enforced in the lectures . I do not wish to bring any charge against the Board of Benevol nce . I have no donbt they discharge their dnties according to the views that generally prevail , and upon the lines usually followed . I

snggpsfc , however , that what I have stated should be taken into consideration , and that if it is really necpssary to constitute a life inqnest , into each case , that a proppr officer should ho appointed for the purpose ; that the work shonld be done with all the delicacy pop . sible ; and that as few as may b ^ shonld know of the misfortunes of the appealing suitors , and the relief that had been afforded to them .

I am , Dear Sir and Brother , Yours very fraternally , WATCHMAN .

Money And The New Temple.

MONEY AND THE NEW TEMPLE .

To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . RESPECTED SIR . —There seems to bo a good deal of ta'k abont the cost of the new Temple , and about how the money is to be got . I thought that was the last thing that we Frepmnsons onght to trouble ourselves abont . Of course , there must be something to show for the outlay ; bnt why haggle abont one , two , or three per cent . I have my

views about these matters , and one opinion is as good as another . I don ' t see any fun in hoarding np money . We have plenty of cash ; if we haven't , we can borrow . Oar credit is good , and I say , build a proper sort of Temple ; and as our successors will enjoy tho advantage of the outlay , let thpm tnke some of the debt as a part of the inheritance . I don't see why we want to get a lot of architects to

send in designs , not that I mind a few prizes or a few hundred pounds . We have got an officer for tho job , we have some officers on the Board of General Purposes and other Boards who understand all about stones and brick- "! and mortar ; why not lpave the whole thing in their hands f We shonld then have a PPW Temple in no time . If there are to be any perqnisitpg thev onght to go to the brethren , and if we

are to have a sptpudid Hot . pl as well as a Temple let the cash fly and let . the futnre take care of itself . The Craft onghfc not to be hungry after interest , seeing that the brethren are ready to respond to any call that may be made upon them . One thing onght not to be forgotten : that knife and fork members are among the salt of the Craft . They are good at banquets ; they are , I suppose , liberal to

the Charities ; and every care ought to be taken to see that the inner man is properly catered for , or at any rate that there nre proper convenience * for the comfort of those who , like myself , enjoy a good banqnet . Many n time have I hpartl that good old drinking song , " Back and side go bare , go bare , " and have wondered who wrote it . I should have liked to have known him . He m ' nst have been a

Freemason , and a thorough boon companion . Now , Mr . Editor , you know my opinions . I hope I've not said anything wrong . I know a good many brethren aofc as I think , and it is no use blinking the fact . Give the Craft reasonable accommodation f-r business meetings , but above all pay particular attention to the epicurean side of the question , and all will go on well . Men ' s hearts are often got at through their stomachs . Yours fraternally , JUSTICE GREEDY ' S SnAuow .

Status Of Past Masters.

STATUS OF PAST MASTERS .

To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER . —I have Tend with tnnch interest in yonr contemporary a letter by Bro . H . Sturlholme Brownrigg , Past District G . M . Pnnjib , on this very vexed question . An opinion from such an authority is worthy of the utmost consideration . Brieflv stated , his letter points out that dnring his eight year * ' sojourn in India he was

a good deal moved about , and " was successively a Past Master in the Lodge in ten different . Lodges in the district of Bengal and the Pnnjib . " He was frequently , and for several months together , the only brother qualified to give a degrep , owing to tho unavoidable absence of those whose duty and privilege it was to do the work . He says he was always acknowledged a Past Mister of such Lodges ,

and voted and acted juFt as if he had passed the chair in each Lodje , He adds , that , he shonld have been much surprised if it had b-on otherwise . Under tho circumstances the Indian Lodges did precisely what any other Lodge would hive done , and no one will find fanlc with them . Bnt what is the . inference that Bn . Brownrigg would have ns draw from his experience ? This may be gathered from his

closing words , in which he says : — "I am convinced that to lower tho position of a Past . Master in a Lodge would have a most injurions effect on Masonry in India . " Just so , and wpre there no other way ont of the difficulty than hy making every Past Master in a Lodge a Past Master of the Lodge throughout the whole of the world where the Grand Lodge of England has jurisdiction , then his position would

ho a strong one , almost if not quitp , impregnable . . To a certain pxtent , the new rule , No . li-1 , meets the case . A Past Master in a Lodge , if n . subscribing member , will be authorised to take the position of W . M . or P . M . of the Lodge , in the absence of hoth of them , and discharge all the dnties of the office of Worshipful Master for the time being . His status , however , must either be

determined hy the new rule , now passed , bnt not yet confirmed , or it must he left in the hands of each Lodge to determine for themselves . The latt . pr method . I think , is by far the preferable one . It is the simplest and tbo most rlignifipd . It recognises the inherent right of a Past Master ,- which qualifies him for tho chair in any Lodge proviclpd he is placed there , by circumstances such as those which

prevail in Indin , and probably in some other countries , or bv the Lodge of its own freewill . The subsequent status of a Past Master in the Lodge should be left to those who welcome his services , who would be ready , as in India , to give honour as well a 3 accept service . Bro . Brownrigg ' s letter thoroughly jnstifies the action of Grand Lodge in delaying the confirmation of the new rule until December .

If the brethren abroad desire to express an opinion on the subject they will have time to do so ; indeed , their views ought to be ascertained , if possible , in order that the voice of the whole Craft should speak , which alono can givo force to the radical change that has been proposed . Now , Sir , in tnrning to your little work on the " Bevised Book of

Constitutions , " I find the same difficulties referred to that Bro . Brownrigg points out , with remarks on th 8 position of a Warden . By additional words it is now determined that " When a Warden niles the Lodge he shall not occupy the Master's chair , nor can initiations take place , or degrees be conferred unless the chair be occupied by a brother who is a Master or Past Master of the Craft . " Your