"What, Then, Is Masonry?"

her principles and precepts . It is the clearest , the simplest of all religions—that Avhich has the nearest affinity to the good sense Avith which Heaven has endoAved us , and , on this account , it is not to be confounded with the others . Read and judge . All religions take charge of a man at his

birth , and keep him in charge till he dies . Masonry , on the contrary , only accepts a man when he has arrived at mature age , and Avhen his intelligence enables him to appreciate the value of things . A given ceremony makes

an infant a portion of a given church , as , for example , circumcision or baptism make him a JBAV or a Christian , before he is in any way capable of understanding the prescribed dogmas of these sects . The baptism of Masonry is science and virtue—the initiate hears and understands

what is said to him ; the lamp of reason is placed m his OAVU hands . By the aid of science he is taught everything that God has designed man should knoAV to distinguish good from evil , the true from the false , liberty from license , courage from cowardice , honesty from fraud , generosity from cruel egotism .

By virtue he learns to subdue the obstacles arising from ignorance or dishonesty . It is the baptism of honour and knowledge ; it is initiation in the dignity , the grandeur of humanity ; certainly no religion can lead us nearer the Deity .

Men are so curiously organised that nearly eveiy one believes his neighbour ' s religion to be false . Yet no man , except through ignorance or folly , can make the same accusation against Masonry , for she is the touchstone of all truth , as every one Avho knoAvs her must be convinced .

Religions , Avhether true or false , are protected by Sovereigns , and sustained by the treasure of the people . Masonry depends upon herself , and God Avho created light . Religions lead their chiefs to poAver , opulence and to greatness . Masonry confers neither greatness , riches or poAver ; it is

the only priesthood that costs the people nothing ; it is the army that makes war at its OAvn expense , hence it may be justly called the army of the good against the bad , of the brave and true against the cowardly and perfidious . Such soldiers look not for their reward at the hands of

men ; they find it in the consciousness of Avell-doing , Avhich is , after all , true happiness . In conclusion , Ave repeat these Avords , becoming daily

of greater truth : — "Teach and propagate true Masonry , and you will have rendered the Avorld a greater service than all its legislators . "—JAS . L . ENAS , New York Democrat .

Answers To Correspondents.

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS .

All Letters and communications must be add / ressed to the Editor of THE FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE , 67 Barbican , London , E . C . i \ M . Of 4 LODGES . —Many thanks for your good wishes , your suggestion has been made before , but there are many objections to it , not the least beinsr the diminished value of tho volume to

advertisers , whose interests we are bound to consider . J . E ., ROTHES . —We have sent two parcels to you , but both have been returned through the post . Kindly forward full address . G . H . S . —We regret the omission ; yon shall hear from na on the matter you complain of .

Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

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 . We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions of our Correspondents .

ST . ALBANS LODGE , No . 678

To the Editor of THE F REEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . D'E . VB . JSIR AND BRO . —In reply to your query , allow me to confirm your statement that the late Bro . Edwards was a member of the St . Alhan ' s Lodge , No . 678 . As a matter of fact , he joined that Lodge soon after its formation in 1839 , and continued his membership up to the time when the Lodge , through various causes , was allowed to lapse . When

the formation of the Halsey Lodge was spoken of , although well advanced in life , he gladly came forward and gave his valuable aid to restore . to the old town of St . Albans her lost prestige in the Masonic world , for I need scarcely remind you that wo have it on good authority that Freemasonry was unknown in England until introduced by Saint Alban , and there is every reason to believe that

the first Masonic Lodge in England was held at St . Albans . If Bro . Haigh contented himself by simply looking through the present Calendar for St . Albans Lodge No . 678 , he would be unable to find it , as Grand Lodge after a certain time elapsed would erase the Lodge from the Kegister . Dear Sir and Bro ., yours fraternally , THE W . M . or THE HASSE ? LODGE , NO , 1479 . Si Alfaaus , 28 th Jauuwy 1875 .

A Freemasons' Lifeboat.

A FREEMASONS' LIFEBOAT .

To the Editor of THK FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . Sir , —The attention of the Craft having been called to the " Endowment" of the Freemasons' Lifeboat stationed at North Berwick , I hope soon to see a list of contributors announced in your columns , for the cause needs no special pleading . The Secretary of the National Lifeboat Institution has stated that

the annual cost of maintaining the Freemasons' Lifeboat is £ 70 . Presuming there are no restrictions to the nature of investment , a secure 5 per cent , interest may be had ; at such rate £ 1 , 400 is necessary to produce the sum required . Now , if each Lodge and Chapter would contribnte the sum of , say £ 1 , tho total amount required would thus be easily aggregated . An appeal to the Lodges

and Chapters is , to my thinking , the better means of securing the end , as the benevolent of onr Order are too frequently over-taxed . Under yonr advice , and amongst your supporters , a committee should be formed , with a view to further organisation , and to solicit Bro . Solomon Davis , of 230 Whitechapel-road , either to act with the committee , or to hand over to it tho money in his possession ,

amounting , as stated , to upwards of £ 22 . It is probable that Bro . Davis has not heard of your publication , or the suggestions for endowment . I therefore advise that copies relating to the subject be sent to him . At the next meeting of my Lodge I shall plead the cause , and with success , I am confident , for the deserving are never sent empty away . I am , Sir , your fraternally , 25 th January 1875 . A W . M .

230 Whitechapel-road , 26 th January 1875 . DEAR SIR AND BRO . —By last evening ' s post I received four numbers of your valuable journal , which placed me iu possesson of the correspondence under the above heading . I am gratified that Past Master ' s mind assimilates with mine in the matter of Lifeboats , & c . I enclose

copies of four letters marked 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , as per dates , for the benefit of " P . M . " and your readers in general . Unfortunately , long and severe illness prevented my taking any active measures for the purpose of receiving subscriptions for tho endowment of the "Freemasons ' Lifeboat , " but , as my health is improving , I trust shortly to take the

matter up Avith renewed energy , and shall be glad if " P . M . and other brethren will forward to me their names and addresses , with a view to assisting in carrying out so laudable an nndertaking . I am , Sir , yours fraternally , SOLOMON DAVIS , Promoter and Treasurer of the

'' Freemasons Lifeboat Fund . " Koyal National Lifeboat Institution , 11 th April 1872 . DEAR SIR , —Referring to your very kind enquiry , Avhether the sum of £ 500 , in addition to the gift of £ 422 16 s 6 d from the Freemasons to this Institution , would be deemed sufficient for tho permanent endowment of the Freemasons' Lifeboat establishment at North

Berwick , N . B ., I beg to say that I will advise you more fully on that subject after I have taken the opinion of this Committee thereon , at their next meeting . In the meantime , I trust you will allow mo to assure you and other members of the Lodge , how very much we appreciate your benevolent wishes on the subject , and the warm interest yon evidently continue to take in tho welfare of the Lifeboat cause . I am , yours faithfully , Mr . S . Davis . R . LEWIS .

Itoyal £ iational Lifeboat Institution , 3 rd May 1872 . DEAR SIR , —With reference to your kind enquiry , whether the National Lifeboat Institution would accept from the Freemasons tho sum of £ 500 , for the permanent endowment of their Lifeboat stationed at North Berwick , N . B . I now have the honour to acquaint you ,

that the Committee appreciate very much this additional mark of sympathy and support from yourself and other members , oil behalf of the Lifeboat cause , and to say that they are prepared , under tho circumstances , to accept the £ 500 for the special purpose of endowing tho Freemasons' Lifeboat . I am , yours faithfully , Mr . S . Davis . R . LEWIS .

Southampton , 29 th September 1872 . Mv DEAR SIR AND BRO . —I am now in London nearly every Tuesday . Being there on the 5 th September , Thursday , I attended tho within named * meeting , at the Railway Tavern . For although I knew the 3 rd of September , or the Thursday , was a mistake , I concluded Thursday , being printed , would be sure to be right . However , the

people at the Tavern told me tho meeting had been held on tho Tuesday . Since then I had your note from Birmingham , and wrote to say I should be happy to attend any Tuesday or Thursday after next week , when I shall be in Manchester . If it is necessary I Avill bo President , or do anything to support you . Believe mo , yours truly , J . E .

SlEUBINfiS-1 Canning-street , Liverpool , 15 th November 1872 . DEAR SIR AND BRO . —Excuse my delay in answering yours . You have my full consent to place me upon the Committee , and I will do my best to further the good cause . As regards the £ 20 I got from

the Prov . G . L ., I returned it to the Treasurer , but I have no doubt at our next provincial meeting it could be again obtained . I am sorry to hear that you have been unwell , but hope by this time you havo perfectly recovered your health . Accept my best wishes and kind regards . Yours very trnly , P . BE . D . JOHNSON , P . M . 249 , 1094 , P , P , a , & o ,